Cedro

Family: Meliaceae

Other Common Names: Cedro (Central and South America), Acajou rouge (French West Indies), Cedre rouge (French Guiana), Ceder
(Surinam).

Distribution: Cedrela occurs from Mexico to Argentina and is found in all countries except Chile. Trees make their best growth on rich,
well-drained humid sites but may also compete favorably on drier hillsides; intolerant of water- logged locations.

The Tree: Under favorable conditions will reach heights over 100 ft and diameters 3 to 6 ft above the substantial buttresses. Straight cylindrical
boles clear for 40 to 60 ft.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood pinkish- to reddish brown when freshly cut, becoming red or dark reddish brown, sometimes with a
purplish tinge, after exposure; sharply to rather poorly demarcated from the pinkish to white sapwood. Grain usually straight, sometimes
interlocked; texture rather fine and uniform to coarse and uneven; luster medium to high and golden; distinctive cedary odor usually
pronounced, some specimens with bitter taste.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) very variable ranging from 0.30 to 0.60, averaging about 0.40; air-dry density
ranges from 23 to 47 pcf, averaging about 30 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (First set of data based on 2-in. standard; second set 2- cm standard.)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

(%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi)

Green (74) 7,510 1,310 3,370

12% 11,530 1,440 6,210

Green (30) 9,100 1,200 4,080

15% 11,750 NA 5,650

Janka side hardness about 550 lb for green material and 600 lb for air dry. Forest Products Laboratory toughness average for green and dry
material 106 in.- lb (5/8-in specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: Easy to air-season or kiln-dry, slight warp with little or no checking. Kiln schedule T10-D4S is suggested for 4/4 stock
and T8-D3S for 8/4. A 200o F heating for 8 to 17 hours at a relative humidity of 60 percent is suggested to control oil and gum exudates in
service. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.2%; tangential 6.3%; volumetric 10.3%. Movement in service rated as small.

Working Properties: Cedro is easy to work with hand and machine tools but somewhat difficult to bore cleanly. Easy to cut into veneer but
with some tendency for wooly surfaces to occur; good nailing and gluing properties; stains and finishes well but gums and oils sometimes are a
problem in polishing.

Durability: Heartwood is rated as durable but there is some variability within species; resistant to both subterranean and dry-wood termites.
Low resistance to attack by marine borers. Wood has excellent weathering characteristics.

Preservation: Heartwood is reported to be extremely resistant to preservation treatments. Reports on treatability of sapwood are conflicting.

Uses: Wood is favored for millwork, cabinets, fine furniture, musical instruments, boat building, patterns, sliced- and rotary-cut veneer,
decorative and utility plywoods, cigar wrappers, and cigar boxes. Volatile oils may restrict use for some applications (e.g., clock cases).