Common Trade Names: Brazilian cedar, British Guiana cedar, British Honduras cedar, Cedro, Central American cedar, cigar box cedar, Kapere, Mexican cigar
Scientific name: Cedrela odorata
Color range: light pinkish to reddish brown
Availability: Spanish cedar is adequately available as it is widely grown in plantations throughout the tropics. They are sometimes available in thinner lumber for small craft and project use.
Janka Scale Hardness: 600 lbf
Average weight per BF: 2.4 lbs/ Bd. Ft.
What Is Spanish Cedar Lumber?
Spanish cedar lumber, or cedro, is a tropical tree in moist and seasonally dry forests. It is one of the most commercially important trees whose lumber is used for many woodworks. The lumber is lightweight and soft with a moderately coarse texture. It is also straight-grained with wavy, curly or mottled grains. Cedro has a uniform heartwood with a light pinkish-to-brown color that darkens with age.
During the height of the cigar craze, Spanish cigars became overharvested. They were a choice of material for cigar boxes for their distinctive scent. When used as a humidor, Spanish cedar can maintain the humidity and temperature inside the box and improve the cigar flavor as they age.
Where Is Spanish Cedar Sourced From?
Spanish cedar is an exotic wood native to Central and South America. It is specifically native to Brazil and is also found in many areas in the Caribbean. The name comes from the fact that Spanish cedar was first discovered and used by the Spanish conquistadors for building churches.
In many regions in Latin America, the species of historically important Spanish cedar were exploited. These species are now indexed as vulnerable trees, and their export was controlled. Plantation Spanish cedar lumber came from Africa, but they have a relatively lower quality than the ones sourced in South America.
Is Spanish Cedar a Hardwood or Softwood?
Real cedar trees are softwood or evergreen that do not shed leaves. But, Spanish cedars lose their leaves in autumn and winter. Therefore, they are classified as hardwood and one of the durable and elegant woods of the mahogany family. Spanish cedar lumber is often mistaken for mahogany at first glance. Only that mahogany is denser and more expensive than cedro.
Spanish cedar is workable with tools and cutters but is prone to splintering because of its softness. Aside from humidors, it is also an ideal wood for boatbuilding, furniture, doors, pattern work and artisan crafts.
What to Look for When Purchasing Spanish Cedar
Spanish cedar lumber is highly resinous and harder to dry than other lumber. Uncontrolled resin seeps into the surface of the lumber if it is not thoroughly dried. The sap interferes with the glue and finish, especially for the Spanish cedar grown in plantations.
When buying Spanish cedar, make sure to choose thoroughly dried wood. Kiln-dried Spanish cedar is better than air-dried since less moisture means they are highly workable with machine and hand tools. A little sanding may be necessary to create a smoother finish.
FAQs
Can Spanish cedar go outside?
Spanish cedar heartwood is very durable and highly resistant to rot. It is a good choice for outdoor projects and even for boatbuilding.
Is Spanish cedar a good tonewood?
Yes, it is an excellent tone wood used for years as guitar neck wood. When well-seasoned, Spanish cedar lumber has a premium sound-dampening property for acoustic purposes.
What is the best finish for Spanish cedar?
For an oily wood like Spanish cedar, it is not uncommon for sap to seep through the surface. Applying a finish like tung oil or linseed oil is a good choice to prevent it from weeping. Oil finishes it well while still giving it a warm and aged look.
Where to Buy Spanish Cedar Wood
Spanish cedar wood is widely available in many lumber stores. However, purchasing it is tricky since dealers sometimes lump them into one trade name without stipulating the origin. You should know that plantation cedro from Africa is of poorer quality than South American cedro. If the lumber comes from Africa, ask the dealer if the wood is kiln dried.
The best way of purchasing Spanish cedar is from reputable suppliers like Alderfer. At Alderfer Lumber Company Inc., we can ensure you get Spanish cedar wood worth the money you spend on it. We only offer kiln dried Spanish cedar of premium quality.
We have top-grade FAS Spanish cedar lumber in 8/4, 6/4, and 4/4 grades. These are the finest boards milled for various woodworking projects. Contact us if you want lumber not otherwise listed in our inventory. We will be more than happy to assist you with whatever wood you may need.
