Spotlight on Spanish Cedar and Jatoba
Spanish Cedar is indigenous to Latin America but also grows in plantations elsewhere, mainly Africa. African stock has become more popular over time and now ships to the U.S. in volumes comparable to those from Latin America. The species, which is listed on Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), is utilized primarily in exterior siding, moulding, windows, shutters, and doors, though it is also a preferred wood for manufacturing cigar boxes. Usage is higher in the coastal sections of the U.S. Southeast than in other areas.
Spotlight On: Spanish Cedar
- Species: Cedrela odorata
- Origin: Native to Central and South America and the Caribbean; often grown on plantations.
- Characteristics / Appearance: Heartwood is relatively uniform light pinkish to reddish brown. Grain is straight to shallowly interlocked, with a medium texture and luster. Spanish cedar is easy to work with hand and machine tools with good nailing and gluing properties. It stains and finishes well but gums and oils can be an issue in polishing.
- Janka Hardness Scale: 600 lb (see chart on page 57)
- Comments: Spanish cedar is durable with a high decay resistance and has excellent weathering characteristics. The durability and stability make it desirable for exterior mouldings and millwork, windows, and doors. This wood is now heavily grown on plantations to maintain a sustainable supply of Spanish cedar.
Spotlight On: Jatoba / Brazilian Cherry
- Species: Hymenaea Courbaril
- Origin: Caribbean, Central and South America
- Characteristics / Appearance: Sapwood can be wide and is either white or pink and sometimes gray. Heartwood varies from salmon red to orange brown which darkens to a red brown when exposed to sun. Medium to coarse texture with moderately interlocked grain. Jatoba glues, stains, turns, and finishes well.
- Janka Hardness Scale: 2,690 lb (see chart on page 57)
- Comments: Jatoba is prized for its pleasing color, beauty and durability. A high density wood that is one of the hardest wood species, durable even in exterior uses.
Jatoba, or Brazilian Cherry, derives mostly from Brazil and is among the most shock-resistant woods in the world. The species once had a sizeable niche in the North American residential flooring and stair sectors, but the trend away from red appearances curbed usage in recent years.
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Frequently asked questions
Why has African-grown Spanish Cedar become more prominent in the U.S. market?+
While Spanish Cedar is indigenous to Latin America, plantation stock from Africa has grown more popular over time and now ships to the U.S. in volumes comparable to those from Latin America.
What CITES listing applies to Spanish Cedar?+
Spanish Cedar is listed on Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Which U.S. region shows the highest usage of Spanish Cedar, and for what applications?+
Usage is higher in the coastal sections of the U.S. Southeast than in other areas. The wood is utilized primarily in exterior siding, moulding, windows, shutters, doors, and is also a preferred wood for cigar boxes.
What finishing challenge can occur when working with Spanish Cedar?+
Spanish Cedar stains and finishes well, but gums and oils in the wood can be an issue during polishing.
Why has Jatoba's use in North American residential flooring declined?+
Jatoba once held a sizeable niche in North American residential flooring and stair sectors, but the trend away from red appearances has curbed its usage in recent years.
What makes Jatoba notable among hardwoods for shock-resistance and density?+
Jatoba, sourced mostly from Brazil, is among the most shock-resistant woods in the world. It is a high-density species with a Janka hardness of 2,690 lb, making it one of the hardest wood species and durable even in exterior uses.