Spanish Cedar

Common Name	This wood can also be called Spanish Cedar, Cedro, and Cuban cedar
Scientific Name	Cedrela odorata
Distribution	The Spanish cedar is native to Central and South America conjointly the} Caribbean; also grown on plantations. Cedro is often found growing comfortably naturally on well-drained soils, usually however not completely on limestone; it tolerates a long dry season however doesn't flourish in areas of rain greater than concerning 3,000 millimeters (120 in) or on sites with heavy or wet soils. Individual trees are typically scattered in mixed semi-evergreen or semi-deciduous forests dominated by alternative species. Mahogany, a detailed relative, is commonly found with Cedro and each suffers injury from constant pest, the mahogany shoot borer. Its become a hard invasive species within the Galapagos.
Tree Size	The tree can grow up to a height of about 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, with a trunk diameter of about 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m).
Dried Weight ( average )	29 lbs/ft3 (470 kg/m3).
Specific Gravity	(Basic, 12% MC): .38, .47
Janka Hardness	600 lbf (2,670 N)

The Spanish cedar tree may be a historically significant Latin-American timber. The Spanish cedar tree has been exploited in several regions due to its wide use in the furniture business, musical industry, and boatbuilding, and so the species is currently thought of to be vulnerable according to the IUCN. It’s conjointly listed on the CITES Appendix III for the countries of Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Guatemala, and Peru. (It’s listing in Appendix III merely implies that the countries listed above have voluntarily chosen to manage and thereby help increase the population of the wood by controlling the exploitation of this wood and limiting its export to different countries. These countries have sought-after the cooperation of different countries to assist in imposing these restrictions.) although the Spanish cedar tree should be freely exported from different Latin American countries unlisted in Appendix III.

The Spanish cedar tree isn't a real cedar and is more closely associated with true Mahoganies (Swietenia and rosid dicot genus genera), as each is within the Meliaceae family. Most of the physical and mechanical properties will vary widely depending on the country of origin, growing conditions, etc.. a number of the wood on the market at the moment comes from plantations: wherever younger, faster-growing trees, manufacture wood that's lower in density, and paler in color than woodcut from trees taken from forests within the wild

Spanish Cedar ranges from durable to moderately durable relating to the effect of decay resistance. The wood is significantly sturdy and is additionally resistant to termite attack. The wood is additionally rumored to possess excellent weathering characteristics. Older, slower-growing trees from the wild forests tend to supply wood that's more sturdy than wood from younger, plantation-grown trees. This is often mainly because of the various weather conditions that the trees are being exposed to which might be extremely harsh typically. On the other hand trees from plantations and given correct care and treatment and don't seem to be essentially exposed to serious weather conditions to acquire resistance against it. Though severe reactions are quite uncommon, Spanish cedar tree wood dust has been rumored as a respiratory irritant. Therefore correct care and protection ought to be used while working with this wood.

Color and Appearance: The heartwood of this wood may be a comparatively uniform light pinkish to reddish-brown; colors tend to darken with age. This can be due to the prolonged exposure in the sunlight and is common with several alternative exotic kinds of wood. Random pockets of gum and natural oils are commonly present. Grain patterning and figure tend to be somewhat bland.

Grain and Texture: The grain is straight or shallowly interlocked. Medium texture and moderate natural luster.

Can vary from ring-porous to diffuse-porous; medium-large earlywood pores, small-medium latewood pores; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; mineral deposits (red gum) often present; growth rings distinct thanks to terminal parenchyma in diffuse-porous samples or lines of larger pores in ring-porous samples; rays typically visible while not lens; parenchyma banded (terminal), apotracheal parenchyma diffuse-in-aggregates, paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric.

Workability: Spanish Cedar is simple to work with each hand and machine tools. However, due to its density and softness, Cedrela odorata tends to leave fuzzy surfaces if not machined with sharp cutters; further sanding up to finer grits could also be needed to get a sleek wood surface. Also, natural gum pockets will stay wet and should ooze out onto the surrounding surface, which might clog and gum up saw blades, and make finishing the wood a challenge.

Odor: Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like scent; this characteristic of the wood makes it a favorite for cigar boxes. The aromatic oils within the wood add flavor to the cigars. Additionally to the pleasant smell, the reddish-brown color of Cedrela odorata accents a variety of projects—and it's straightforward to cut. The aromatic oils repel insects, and Spanish cedar is extremely decay-resistant, which makes it a decent wood for outdoor projects.

Availability: Generally inadequate availability, Spanish cedar is typically sold in thinner 1/4″ lumber to be used in liners and alternative little craft comes. Spanish cedar tree ought to be within the low to moderate price range for imported lumber. This wood species is in CITES Appendix III and is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over the past 100 years caused by the exploitation of its natural range, and uncontrolled export of either the raw wood or the finished product to other countries.

Common Uses: The most common uses of the Spanish cedar are veneer, plywood, cabinetry, musical instruments, (flamenco and classical guitars), humidors, and boatbuilding. The Spanish cedar tree is the most commercially important and widely distributed species within the rosid dicot genus. referred to as Cedrela odorata in English commerce, the aromatic wood is in high demand within the American tropics as a result of its natural termite- and rot-resistant. a pretty, moderately light-weight wood (specific gravity 0.4), its primary use is in household articles accustomed to store consumer goods. Cedro duramen contains an aromatic and insect-repelling resin that's the supply of its common name, Spanish-cedar (it resembles the aroma of the unrelated true cedars (Cedrus spp.) Cedro works simply and makes excellent plywood and veneer and would be a lot of wide used if it may be with success plantation big. This plant is commonly used for honey production (beekeeping) and humidor construction. It's often used for tops or veneers on some styles of electrical guitars. The wood is that the ancient selection for creating the neck of flamenco and classical guitars.

Frequently asked questions

The most favorable technique is to use tung oil till the wood stops riveting the oil. Then let it dry overnight, then try and rub in additional oil. when a couple of days, once the wood can absorb no additional oil, permit it to dry for a week more for effective results.

To start, take the sponge, place it in a very bowl, and soak it with water or antifreeze solution. Make certain the sponge is totally saturated. Then wring it out and place it within the humidor on top of the bag. The bag can make sure the water within the sponge does not over-saturate the wood.

The cedar lining sanded and cut to the required width/ and length. Then the piece of wood is wiped down with acetone or alcohol, and that they are allowed to dry totally.

Cedar is soft. Unless the cedar has deep scratches, gouges, or power tool marks -- lines running perpendicular across the grain -- cedar ought to be sanded by hand. Power sanders remove material quickly, almost too quickly to finish work. If you do have to be compelled to sand it with an influence power tool, use an orbital power tool with 100-grit sandpaper. Keep the power tool moving, using circular motions to flatten and swish the surface. Do not permit the power tool to stay in one place. Once the surface is systematically smooth, stop sanding and proceed to sand by hand. finish sand the cedar by hand to get rid of tiny defects or to get rid of tiny circles or scratches if the cedar was sanded with an orbital power tool.

The Spanish cedar is native to Central and South America conjointly the Caribbean; also grown on plantations. Individual trees are typically scattered in mixed semi-evergreen or semi-deciduous forests dominated by alternative species. Mahogany, a detailed relative, is commonly found with Cedro and each suffers injury from constant pest, the mahogany shoot borer. Its become a hard invasive species within the Galapagos

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The heartwood of this wood may be a comparatively uniform light pinkish to reddish-brown; colors tend to darken with age. this can be due to the prolonged exposure in the sunlight and is common with several alternative exotic kinds of wood. Random pockets of gum and natural oils are commonly present. Grain patterning and figure tend to be somewhat bland.

Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like scent; this characteristic of the wood makes it a favorite for cigar boxes. The aromatic oils within the wood add flavor to the cigars. Additionally to the pleasant smell, the reddish-brown color of Cedrela odorata accents a variety of projects—and it's straightforward to cut. The aromatic oils repel insects, and Spanish cedar is extremely decay-resistant, which makes it a decent wood for outdoor projects.

The Spanish cedar tree may be a historically significant Latin-American timber. The heartwood of this wood may be a comparatively uniform light pinkish to reddish-brown; colors tend to darken with age. Random pockets of gum and natural oils are commonly present. This wood has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like scent; this characteristic of the wood makes it a favorite for cigar boxes. The aromatic oils within the wood add flavor to the cigars. The most common uses of the Spanish cedar are veneer, plywood, cabinetry, musical instruments, (flamenco and classical guitars), humidors, and boatbuilding.

The most common uses of the Spanish cedar are veneer, plywood, cabinetry, musical instruments, (flamenco and classical guitars), humidors, and boatbuilding. This aromatic wood is in high demand within the American tropics as a result of its natural termite- and rot-resistant. Cedro works simply and makes excellent plywood and veneer and would be a lot of wide used if it may be with success plantation big. This plant is commonly used for honey production (beekeeping) and humidor construction. It's often used for tops or veneers on some styles of electrical guitars. The wood is that the ancient selection for creating the neck of flamenco and classical guitars.

References