Cedar, Cigar Box

(Cedrela odorata)

Africa

A genus of seven species in the mahogany family Meliaceae, the growth range of the species is a native of the West Indies and from Central America to South America, including the Brazilian Atlantic and Amazon Rain Forest. It has been introduced to many Pacific Islands and South Africa.

Cigar Box Cedar is commonly referred to Barbados cedar, cedre acajou, cedre des barbares, cedro, cedro cubano, Epi, Mexican cedar, Kapare, sita hina, and West Indian cedar.

A very important timber tree, producing a lightweight fragrant wood with very good resistance to termites and other wood-boring insects, and also rot-resistant outdoors. The wood is often sold under the name "Spanish-cedar"; like many trade names, confusing as it is neither Spanish nor a cedar), and is the traditional wood used for making cigar boxes).

The sapwood is pale in color and is not sharply demarcated from the heartwood. The heartwood usually ranges from pale pinkish-brown to dark reddish-brown in color, and darkens upon exposure. Timber from younger or fast-grown trees is reported to be generally paler in color. And the grain is straight or shallowly interlocked.