Chittagong wood

Chittagong Wood (Chukrasia tabularis), also known as the Indian Mahogany or Bastard Cedar, is a large, deciduous to semi-deciduous tree in the family Meliaceae, native to a broad range extending from southern China and the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to Australia. It reaches heights of up to 30 metres and produces pinnate leaves with numerous leaflets that emerge reddish before maturing to deep green. The species' timber is highly valued commercially; it is moderately hard, straight-grained, and durable, resembling true mahogany in appearance and working properties, making it sought after for furniture, cabinetry, boat building, and interior joinery. Chukrasia tabularis grows in tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, often on well-drained soils at elevations up to around 1,000 metres. The tree produces small white to yellowish flowers in terminal panicles, followed by woody, ovoid capsules that open to release winged seeds dispersed by wind. Despite significant timber exploitation throughout its range, the species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN owing to its wide distribution and presence in numerous protected areas. However, selective logging for its valuable timber continues to reduce populations of large, mature trees, and regeneration may be limited in heavily logged forests where seed sources have been removed.