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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Plantation species?
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Silica Content
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Cedrela odorata

Trade Name
Central American cedar

Family Name
Meliaceae

Synonyms
Cedrela mexicana


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Common Names
Acajou rouge, Akuyari, Atoreb, Brazilian cedar, British Guiana cedar, British Honduras cedar, Cedar, Cedre rouge, Cedrela, Cedrela wood, Cedro, Cedro chino, Cedro hembra, Cedro macho, Cedro obscuro, Cedro oloroso, Cedro red, Cedro rojo, Central American cedar, Chujte, Cigar box cedar, Cigarbox cedar, Colorado cedro, Cuban cedar, Epi, Guyana cedar, Honduras cedar, Icte, Jamaican cedar, Kalantas, Kapere, Koperi, Kurama, Kurana, Mexican cedar, Nicaraguan cedar, Parank, Paranka, Red cedar, Rojas cedar, Rosas cedar, South American cedar, Spanish cedar, Tabasco cedar, Tiocuahuitl, Trinidad cedar, Tropical cedar, West Indian cedar

Plantation species?
Yes

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadelope [France], Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico [US], Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Cigar boxes, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drawing boards, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Shingles, Sills, Sporting Goods, Turnery, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Widespread
Generally secure within its natural habitat
Extinct, Endangered, Rare, or Vulnerable within some parts of its original range.
Environmental status not officially assessed
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Abundant


Distribution Overview
Cedro hembra (Cedrela odorata) is the most commercially important and widely distributed species in the genus Cedrela. Known as Spanish-cedar in English commerce, the aromatic wood is in high demand in the American tropics because it is naturally termite- and rot-resistant. Cedro is widespread but never very common throughout moist tropical American forests; its numbers are continuing to be reduced by exploitation without successful regeneration.

Cedro is a tree of the New World tropics, appearing in forests of moist and seasonally dry Subtropical or Tropical life zones (24) from latitude 26° N. on the Pacific coast of Mexico, throughout Central America and the West Indies, to the lowlands and foothills of most of South America up to 1200 m (about 4,000 ft) altitude, finding its southern limit at about latitude 28° S. in Argentina. Cedro is always found naturally on well-drained soils, often but not exclusively on limestone; it tolerates a long dry season but does not flourish in areas of rainfall greater than about 3000 mm (120 in) or on sites with heavy or waterlogged soils. Individual trees are generally scattered in mixed semievergreen or semi-deciduous forests dominated by other species

Heartwood Color
White
Yellow
Orange
Green/grey
Brown
Red
Reddish brown
Pale red to pink
Dark brown
Red
Purple
Dark brown
Brown

The heartwood usually darkens upon exposure. Timber from younger or fast-grown trees is generally paler in color

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Red
White to yellow
Well defined
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood
Color not distinct from heartwood


Grain
Straight
Figure
Growth rings (figure)
Interlocked
Even
Distinct (figure)
Very fine
Mottled (figure)
Weak (figure)

Straight
Clear growth rings (figure)
Interlocked
Weak figure
Mottled figure
Interlocked shallowly
Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct
Distinct figure


Texture
Fine
Medium
Even or uniform
Medium
Medium to coarse
Coarse
Fine
Fine to medium


Luster
Medium
High
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous
Medium


Natural Growth Defects
Gum/resin streaks
Gum and mineral deposits


Natural Durability
Susceptible to insect attack
Perishable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to termites
Non-durable
Durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Resistant to wood staining fungal attack
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Pinworm (ambrosia beetle) attack may occur in the heartwood
Very high natural resistance
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles
Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles)
Non durable
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack


Odor
Natural oil in the wood gives off a distinctive fragrant scent.

Silica Content
Siliceous


Toxicity
Some toxic effects
Sawdust can cause throat irritation in some individuals
Sawdust can cause nose irritation in some individuals


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid

Gum and oil exudation in service can be controlled by heating the timber at 200 degrees F. at 60% relative humidity for 8 to 17 hours

Drying Defects
Splitting
Distortion
Discoloration
Slight surface checking
Slight end splitting
Slight collapse and honeycomb
Slight twist/warp
No twisting or warping
No surface checking
Slight spring/bow
Slight cupping
No collapse/honeycomb
Moderate end spitting
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
Generally free from spring and bow
Expect severe degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening
Distortion (twist/warp) is likely
Collapse


Ease of Drying
Slowly
Thick Stock Requires Care
Rapidly
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Requires special attention
Easy
Dries at a fairly rapid rate
Air dries and kiln dries slowly with minimal degrade


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries quickly
Drying rate is slow
Slow
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bole length is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 40-50 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Bole length is 30-40 m
Tree height is 50-60 m
Tree height is 10-20 m


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that a very important source of timber. The timber is exported regularly, especially as square-edged timber and veneer.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Timber produced by most species in the genus Cedrela are reported to contain volatile oils which tend to limit their uses. Timber from young or fast-grown trees is generally less resinous than that from mature or more slowly-grown trees

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Little
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Blunting effect on sawing green wood is mild
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Boring
Difficult
Easy


Carving
Easy to carve


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy

The timber responds satisfactorily to cross-cutting and bandsawing

Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
May require surface treatment for best results
Glues well


Mortising
Finishes well
Good mortising properties
Finishes satisfactorily
Finishes poorly
Easy to mortise


Moulding
Good finishing results
Excellent moulding properties
Easy to mould

A French head is reported to produce the most satisfactory moulding results

Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Small
Stable


Nailing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Pre-Boring Recommended
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to nail
Holds nails well
Satisfactory nailing properties
Pre-boring recommended
Nails hold poorly


Planing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane

A good finish can be obtained in planing if cutting angles are reduced to 20 degrees

Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant


Resistance to Splitting
Good


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Good response


Routing & Recessing
Routing is easy
Routing yields good results


Sanding
Good sanding finish
Easy to sand
Moderate sanding qualities


Screwing
Easy to screw
Screwing yields good results
Excellent screwing properties


Turning
Good results
Poor results
Good results
Easy to turn


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Suitable for slicing
Veneers moderately easy
Veneers easily
Easy to cut
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Good gluing qualities
Suitable for peeling
Suitable for slicing
No steaming needed during bolt preparation.


Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results
Good


Painting
Good results
Excellent results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Satisfactory results


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Finish is generally good
Good staining properties


Varnishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low

Surfaces may dent or scratch easily since the wood is soft and weight and density are considered average. Relative to its weight the wood is generally strong

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength61009679psi
Crushing Strength380570psi
Density28lbs/ft3
Hardness406lbs
Impact Strength17inches
Maximum Crushing Strength25644408psi
Shearing Strength1009psi
Static Bending32906342psi
Stiffness102111921000 psi
Toughness157inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load66inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.330.36
Weight2925lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%
Volumetric Shrinkage10%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength428680kg/cm2
Crushing Strength2640kg/cm2
Density448kg/m3
Hardness184kg
Impact Strength43cm
Maximum Crushing Strength180309kg/cm2
Shearing Strength70kg/cm2
Static Bending231445kg/cm2
Stiffness71831000 kg/cm2
Toughness180cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.420.42cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.330.36
Weight464400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%

References
Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

Bodig, J. and B. A. Jayne. 1982. Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.

Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brazier, J.D., Franklin, G.L.,1967,An Appraisal of the Wood Characteristics and Potential Uses of some,Nicaraguan Timbers,FAO for Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne, CEDEX, France.

Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough

Desch, H.E.,1948,The Cedars,Wood 13(2) pp40-3

Edmondson, C.H.,1949,Reaction of Woods from S.America and Caribbean areas to Marine Borers in,Hawaiian Waters,Caribbean Foresters,10(1,PP37-41

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Fanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

Forest Trust - Goodwood. 1993. Personal Communication.

Gomez-Vazquez, B.G.,1981,Wood structure and potential end uses of some lesser known Mexican timber,species,Thesis for Msc. Univ. Wales Bangor

Gua, B.E.,1988,Observation on timber samples of eighteen research and plantation species,Forest Research Note, Solomon Islands Forestry Division Number 53 21/88

Haslett, A.N.; Young, G.D. and Britton, R.A.J.,1991,Plantation grown Tropical Timbers. 2. Properties, Processing and Uses,Journal of Tropical Forest Science 3(3):229-237

Highley, T.L., Scheffer, T.C.,1970,Natural Decay Resistance of 30 Peruvian Woods,U.S.A. Agriculture Department, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory,,Madison Research Paper,No.143

HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R. H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1

Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

Lauricio, F. M., Bellosillo, S. B. 1966. The Mechanical and Related Properties of Philippine Woods, The Lumberman, 12(5):A-H.

Longwood, F.R.,1961,Puerto Rican Woods - Their Machining Seasoning and Related Characteristics,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.205

Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207

Marshall, R.C.,1934,Trees of Trinidad and Tobago,Government Printer Port of Spain Trinidad

Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Perpetua Hardwoods. Sea Star Trading Co. - Purveyors of Fine Wood. Newport, Oregon. Personal Communication, 1993.

Polak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The Netherlands

Poynton, R.J.,1957,Notes on Exotic Forest Trees in South Africa (Second Edition, Revised,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.38

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7

Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1

Smith, E.E.,1954,The Forests of Cuba,Maria Moors Cabot Foundation,U.S.A. Publication, No. 2

Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29

Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4

Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi

Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center - Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

Williams, L. 1936. Woods of Northeastern Peru. Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series, Volume XV, Publication 377, Chicago.









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