How can you tell Spanish Cedar wood?

How can you tell Spanish Cedar wood?

Spanish Cedar has a color characteristic of being pink to dark reddish brown with a purplish tinge from time to time. Its grain patterns are typically straight and fine.

How fast does Spanish Cedar grow?

Once past the vulnerable early sapling stage, cedro is a very fast-growing tree, adding 2.5 cm (1.0 in) or more in diameter and 2 in (6.6 ft) in height a year under good conditions.

Where does Spanish Cedar grow?

C. odorata is a very large tree – it can grow to 40-50 meters tall – native to large areas of the tropical Americas.

Are there cedar trees in Spain?

A commercially important plant, Spanish Cedar (also known as Cuban Cedar or Cedro) is a mid-sized tree that grows up to 30 meters. Its wood was traditionally the most common choice for classical Spanish guitars.

What is the difference between cedar and Spanish Cedar?

It has similar characteristics to Western Red Cedar but with its own enduring charm. Naturally resistant to decay, Spanish Cedar is also known for its durability. Unlike Western Red Cedar, this type of wood has a more even-colored grain, which is preferable for staining or clear natural finishes.

Is Spanish Cedar really cedar?

Despite its name, Spanish Cedar is not only a hardwood (and therefore not a Cedar at all), but it is also not Spanish. Spanish Cedar actually comes from the Meliaceae family, along with Mahogany; Spanish Cedar is similar to Genuine Mahogany in its beautiful coloration, attractive grain pattern, and great workability.

What is Spanish Cedar good for?

Uses For Spanish Cedar Since Spanish Cedar wood is primarily used for outdoor applications such as entry way doors, exterior trim, moulding and exterior siding. The cigar industry also prizes this wood when making humidors since it supports the cigar aging process.

Does cedar grow in South America?

Cedrela fissilis is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela, and can be found throughout Central and South America.

Is Spanish Cedar actually cedar?

Is Spanish Cedar toxic?

Odor: Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like scent; this characteristic of the wood makes it a favorite for cigar boxes. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Spanish Cedar wood dust has been reported as a respiratory irritant.

Do you have to use Spanish Cedar in a humidor?

Solid wood humidors are simply more susceptible to damage and dents, since the wood is generally very soft. In this case, while Spanish cedar is considered an excellent wood for building a humidor, it’s only recommended that it be used in the interior of the unit – not the entire thing.

Is Spanish Cedar poisonous?

If bleeding of sap from Spanish cedar occurs, sanding will likely remove most of it; however, the wood produces a very fine dust that is quite toxic to the lungs if inhaled and is carcinogenic. Use of alcohol or acetone may be used as an alternate means of removing Spanish Cedar sap, should it become evident.

What is Cedrela odorata?

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.

Is Cedrela salvadorensis deciduous?

Cedrela salvadorensis Standl. – Central America Cedrela odorata is the most common species in the genus, widespread in seasonally dry tropical and subtropical forests; it is deciduous in the dry season which may last several months.

Is Cedrela an invasive species?

However, its fast growth has also seen it become an invasive species, especially in the Pacific islands including Hawaii and the Galapagos, and also South Africa. Cedrela is part of the Meliaceae, or mahogany family, comprising seven species native to tropical South and Central America ( Styles, 1981 ).

How many species are in the genus Cedrela?

The genus Cedrela has undergone two major systematic revisions since 1960. The most recent revision reduced the number of species in the genus to seven (Styles, 1981). The common cedro, Cedrela odorata L., embraces 28 other synonyms, including C. mexicana M. J. Roem.