WOOD SPECIES:
Spanish Cedar
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Cedrela odorata
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
Brazilian Cedar, British Guiana Cedar, British Honduras Cedar, Cedar, Cedre Rouge, Cedro, Cedro Oloroso, Cedro Red, Central American Cedar, Cigar Box Cedar, Epi, Guyana Cedar, Honduras Cedar, Jamaican Cedar, Kapere, Mexican Cedar
TYPICAL USES:
Spanish Cedar is commonly used in the building of musical instruments, boats, humidors and cigar boxes, plywood and veneers, furniture and cabinetry, to name a few.
SOURCES:
Central America, South America, Asia
AVG BENDING STRENGTH:
9,500 psi
SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
0.39
AVG WEIGHT:
30 lbs/cu.ft.
SAPWOOD COLOR:
Typically indistinct from the heartwood, Spanish Cedar sapwood is of a light hue.
HEARTWOOD COLOR:
Heartwood ranges from a pale pinkish tone to darker reds and browns.
GRAIN:
Typically straight with occasional interlocking.
TEXTURE:
Medium to coarse texture with medium to large open pores.
LUSTER:
Spanish Cedar can possess a very high luster.
MOVEMENT:
Seasoned properly, most Spanish Cedar lumber maintains above average dimensional stability.
DURABILITY:
Moderately durable, Spanish Cedar resists decay and most insect attack.
BLUNTING EFFECT:
A relatively soft wood, Spanish Cedar exhibits only a very minor blunting effect on cutting edges.
CUTTING RESISTANCE:
This lumber responds well to most cutting and sawing operations. Some gumming may be noticed.
PLANING:
Spanish Cedar planes quite easily, though care must be taken to ensure sharp knives in order to avoid fuzzy surfaces.
TURNING:
Fair to good wood turning characteristics.
BORING:
Spanish Cedar can be somewhat difficult to bore.
GLUING:
Responds well to most gluing applications, assuming proper prior surface preparation.
NAILING:
No known difficulties. Accepts and holds nails well.
SCREWING:
Above-average screw holding properties. Pre-drilling is recommended for best results.
POLISHING:
Spanish Cedar’s polishing properties are excellent.
STAINING:
Finishing can be somewhat challenging owing to the natural pockets of resin found in Spanish Cedar stock.
