cedar is a hardwood

and splitting; works easily and well with hand or machine tools; holds nails; screws well, and glues satisfactorily.

This type of cedar is quite durable, resisting both fungus and termites, but is susceptible to attack by the powder post beetle. Another problem is distortion or collapse, which often can be avoided by kiln drying with a low temperature schedule.

Story at a Glance

Cedar from Latin America is a hardwood retains scent of domestic softwood namesake boasts rich color and physical attributes similar to mahogany. commercial use expanding. The wood's distinguished scent comes from its volatile oil, which may ooze out and appear on the surface as a sticky resin. The gum-like substance can stain materials in close contact and may cause boards to stick together. Kiln drying the unsurfaced stock followed by heating at 200"F will bring the oils and gums to the surface where they can be removed by planing. If left unattended, the exudation can present problems later in staining and polishing.

Importers believe Spanish cedar from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Amazon area has more exudation than does wood from Mexico. Belize and Guatemala, making the latter wood preferred.

Actually, the genus Cedrelagrows in about 20 different commercial species. The most prevalent of these are'. Cedrela odorata, found in the high meadows of the Amazon forests, Cedrela ongust|folia, common in the humid forests of the coastal regions, and Cedrela y'sst'/q which grows in inland jungles.

Traditionally, the hardwood has been used so often for cigar boxes, it is sometimes called cigar box cedar. Other products include furniture, cabinets, paneling, high-class joinery, flooring, house construction, boat building, skins of racing boats, canoe decks, organ sound boards, clothing chests, lead pencils, and sliced veneers for paneling.