Is Spanish cedar a conifer?
Spanish cedar, or cedro, grows in South America. Unlike cedar, it is not a coniferous tree, but a close relative to Honduran mahogany. Who would’ve known!? Does my guitar need a CITES certificate?
How durable is Spanish cedar wood?
Rot Resistance: Spanish Cedar ranges from durable to moderately durable regarding decay resistance, and is also resistant to termite attack; the wood is also reported to have excellent weathering characteristics. Older, slower-growing trees from the wild tend to produce wood that is more durable than wood from younger, plantation-grown trees.
What does a cedar tree look like?
Pictures of cedar bark with its large scales (left) and upright cones and needles (right) Cedars are evergreen trees that can be identified by their needles, cones and bark.
Why is Spanish cedar endangered?
Spanish cedar is considered “vulnerable” to extinction, and the forests where it grows are under siege by organized crime. Supporting the logging of these forests, whether for Spanish cedar or some other exotic wood, is discouraged.
 3 end grain s25 plh.jpg)
What is Spanish Cedar wood used for?
Uses: Spanish cedar is favored for the making of the hulls of light racing boats, furniture, cabinetwork, doors and windows, interior trim and clothing chests. In the past it was exported to Europe and the U.S. for cigar boxes. The Indians used to make dugout canoes with the trunks.
Does Spanish Cedar look like mahogany?
Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata) is harvested from Central and South America. While it may look like mahogany, it's not as hard.
What kind of wood is Spanish 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.
Is Spanish Cedar the same as cedar?
Spanish cedar is also not a cedar. It's a hardwood, closely related to mahogany. Spanish cedar is the ideal wood for humidors.
How can you tell if wood is Spanish cedar?
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.
Is Spanish cedar a good wood?
Spanish Cedar is a great choice for many uses. It has been used in furniture products, window blinds, doors, boat building, pattern work, and even garage doors due to its pleasing appearance and lightweight. Compared to other tropical hardwoods, Spanish Cedar is comparatively lighter.
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.
Are cigar boxes made of Spanish Cedar?
Cigar boxes are traditionally made from wood (particularly Spanish cedar), but tin, cardboard and even plastic have been used. There are several traditional styles. A Dress Box or Semi-Plain Box is the most common type of cigar box.
Is Spanish Cedar good for outdoor furniture?
As an exterior product, Spanish Cedar is great but so are Sapele and Utile. These species are cheaper but also heavier and denser. They are fantastic in appearance and weather resistance, and available in wide and long without problem.
What does Spanish cedar smell like?
Proponents of using Spanish cedar suggest using the roots and bark of the tree to relieve an upset stomach. Known scientifically as Cedrela odorata, Spanish cedar is a type of tree that has a very distinct cedar-like smell.
What is the best grade of cedar?
Appearance grades use letters A through D, with A being the highest grade. There are also two other terms under appearance grade Cedar: Clear and Knotty or STK. Clear Cedar refers to A & Better Cedar and is free of almost all knots, but it isn't 100% free of knots.
What is the most aromatic cedar?
Eastern Red CedarEastern Red Cedar Sometimes referred to as “aromatic cedar,” this cedar is known for its pungent scent from its natural oils.
What is Spanish mahogany?
Definition of Spanish mahogany : a mahogany obtained only from the West Indies and especially from Santo Domingo and sometimes considered a distinct species (Swietenia macrophylla)
What wood is mahogany?
There are many species of mahogany, mainly grown in North and Central America. Known for its straight grain and characteristic red brown colour, it polishes and oils very well and can be buffed to a very high shine. An exceptionally durable hardwood, it is the ideal choice for furniture and fittings around the home.
Are cigar boxes made of Spanish cedar?
Cigar boxes are traditionally made from wood (particularly Spanish cedar), but tin, cardboard and even plastic have been used. There are several traditional styles. A Dress Box or Semi-Plain Box is the most common type of cigar box.
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.
What is cedar wood?
Cedar wood is a versatile and durable domestic hardwood that grows on both the East and West coasts of the US. Although there are many different types of cedar trees, the ones most commonly used for their lumber are Eastern and Western Red Cedar.
Why does cedar change color?
All natural wood changes colors over time due to chemical reactions which occur between extractives in the wood, like oil, and the environment—chiefly oxygen and UV rays. Lighter woods will usually darken, and darker woods will lighten. Cedar is unique in that, instead of mellowing out, blending, or developing a patina, it turns silver or gray. The color shift is quite dramatic and can happen rapidly.
What is the highest rating of cedar?
Yellow cedar and Spanish cedar are 580 Janka and 600 Janka, which puts them in the neighborhood of chestnut and red alder. Eastern red cedar has the highest rating of the group at 900 Janka, which still places it well below virtually every other wood used for furniture, floors, and construction.
What is the best alternative to cedar?
For indoor use, we think the best alternative to cedar is cherry wood. For outdoor use, consider our polywood outdoor furniture made from recycled HDPE plastic.
What is considered a hardwood tree?
The phrases really denote whether the wood comes from a tree that’s in the gymnosperm or dicot group. Gymnosperms are usually trees with needles, such as fir and pine. They’re considered softwoods. Dicots are usually leafy trees, such as cherry, walnut, oak, and maple. They’re considered hardwoods.
Where do cedar trees grow?
Red cedar, the wood most commonly found in woodworking, grows on both the East and West coast of the United States. Eastern red cedar is a significantly harder and stronger wood than the red cedar that grows on the West coast. White cedar is also found along the East coast.
Is Spanish cedar a vulnerable tree?
Spanish cedar is considered “vulnerable” to extinction, and the forests where it grow s are under siege by organized crime. Supporting the logging of these forests, whether for Spanish cedar or some other exotic wood, is discouraged. Not only that, but the importation process results in a higher carbon footprint.
What is Spanish cedar used for?
Spanish cedar has played an essential role in my guitars throughout my whole career. It is one of the cornerstone materials we use in a lot of different guitars and basses.
What is the name of the tree that smells like cedar?
The latin name “Cedrela Odorata” translates literally “smells like cedar”. Spanish cedar, or cedro, grows in South America. Unlike cedar, it is not a coniferous tree, but a close relative to Honduran mahogany.
Is Spanish cedar a CITES certified lumber?
Spanish cedar is currently listed on CITES Appendix III. This means that no CITES certification is needed to be delivered with guitars. Only raw lumber needs to be certified when it’s exported from the country of origin. See more info about the current CITES regulations here.
Is Spanish cedar a stable wood?
Once properly dried, Spanish cedar is one of the most stable wood materials in the world. It has a unique property of holding a stable inner moisture level even if the climate relative humidity changes dramatically. It is extremely rigid – but light weight.
Is Spanish cedar lighter than Honduran mahogany?
This surprising coincidence got me thinking. Similar features as Honduran mahogany – but Spanish cedar is generally lighter. So… how would this stuff work in an electric guitar?
How tall do cedars grow?
Also called the Atlanta cedars, these cedars are suitable for planting in large backyards. They don’t grow to more than 40 ft. (12 m) tall in garden landscapes and are ideal for full sun and hot, arid conditions. Some ornamental cultivars include the Golden Atlas Cedar ‘Aurea’ with golden foliage, Blue Atlas Cedar ‘Glauca’ with its bluish green needles, the ‘Glauca Pendula,’ with weeping branches, and ‘Argentea Fastigiata’—an upright columnar tree with a pencil shape.
How to tell if a cedar tree is mature?
Another identification feature of true cedar trees is their large, barrel-like cones that grow upward on branches rather than dangle. A mature cedar tree has reddish-brown bark with long scales that are easily peeled. Another way to identify cedars is by their enormous height—growing up to 160 ft. (50 m).
How to identify a Deodar cedar tree?
To identify Deodar cedar trees, look for drooping branches growing on these tall conifers. Its needle-like leaves grow in small, dense clusters on short shoots. The foliage can be from bright green to bluish-green color. The barrel cones grow up to 5” (13 cm) long, and the bark of Deodar cedar is gray and scaly.
What is the name of the tree with large scales?
Pictures of cedar bark with its large scales (left) and upright cones and needles (right) Cedars are evergreen trees that can be identified by their needles, cones and bark. Cedars have bluish-green needles, growing in groups along woody branches. Another identification feature of true cedar trees is their large, ...
What is a cedar tree?
Cedar trees are large evergreen conifers that have needle-like leaves that are arranged spirally on scented woody branches. Cedars grow at high altitudes and thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. There are four species of cedar trees in the genus Cedrus, belonging to the pine ( Pinaceae) family.
How big does a deodar tree grow?
However, in a park or garden landscape, they don’t usually grow more than 50 ft. (15 m) with a 30 ft. (9 m) spread. The wood from Deodar cedars is prized for its durability and attractive grain. Timber from these cedars is used in the construction industry. However, the cedar lumber isn’t ideal for furniture making.
What is the name of the Atlas cedar tree?
Atlas Cedar ( Cedrus Atlantica) In these pictures: Cedrus Atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’ (left) and Cedrus Atlantica ‘Aurea’ (right) The Atlas cedar tree is a type of true cedar tree that looks similar to varieties of Lebanon cedars. This type of conifer tree gets its name from the Atlas mountain of Morocco.
