Short answers, pulled from the story.
The first shipment of Honduras mahogany arrived in Kingston Jamaica in 1763. This event marked the beginning of a global timber revolution that would reshape the furniture industry and colonial economies for centuries.
The scientific name for the mahogany tree is Swietenia macrophylla. This straight-grained reddish-brown wood possessed a unique combination of durability workability and aesthetic appeal that made it the preferred material for high-quality cabinetry and shipbuilding.
Britain imported more than 30,000 tons of mahogany in 1788. This figure would never be matched again in the following century as the trade had grown so substantial by the late 18th century.
Swietenia macrophylla was added to CITES Appendix II in 1995 and moved to Appendix II in 2003. The depletion of natural mahogany forests led to the placement of all Swietenia species on CITES Appendices to protect the species.
Mahogany serves as the national tree of the Dominican Republic and Belize. In Belize a mahogany tree with two woodcutters bearing an axe and a paddle appears on the national coat of arms under the motto under the shade I flourish.
Europe imported 121,743 tons of African mahogany in 1907. By the early 20th century African mahogany had taken over the market with 121,743 tons imported into Europe compared to just 38,087 tons from all other sources.