Cedrela odorata 18 year old plantation
Spanish cedar is in the mahogany family (Meliaceae) and is a commonly planted timber tree in its native range in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. The wood is coarser grained than true mahogany (Swietenia or Khaya spp.) but is fragrant and is most famous for its use in making cigar boxes. The wood is also used for light construction, posts, building timber, carpentry, joinery, paneling, containers, musical instruments, furniture, veneers, and boat building.
Alternative names include West Indian cedar, cigar box cedar, cedarwood. Botanical synonyms include Cedrela dugesii, Cedrela guianensis, Cedrela mexicana, Cedrela occidentalis, Cedrela sintenisii.
The windblown seeds are borne in capsules that resemble mahogany capsules but are smaller, although they are larger than the capsules on the related tree Toona ciliata. The seeds can spread widely and the tree is considered invasive (Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment of 7, plantpono.org/hpwra-plant.php?id=286). It is NOT recommended for planting in new areas.
Photos from Ookala, Hawaii Island, Hawaii. This tree is on the edge of the plantation; even so the growth is impressive.
Cedrela odorata 18 year old plantation
Spanish cedar is in the mahogany family (Meliaceae) and is a commonly planted timber tree in its native range in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. The wood is coarser grained than true mahogany (Swietenia or Khaya spp.) but is fragrant and is most famous for its use in making cigar boxes. The wood is also used for light construction, posts, building timber, carpentry, joinery, paneling, containers, musical instruments, furniture, veneers, and boat building.
Alternative names include West Indian cedar, cigar box cedar, cedarwood. Botanical synonyms include Cedrela dugesii, Cedrela guianensis, Cedrela mexicana, Cedrela occidentalis, Cedrela sintenisii.
The windblown seeds are borne in capsules that resemble mahogany capsules but are smaller, although they are larger than the capsules on the related tree Toona ciliata. The seeds can spread widely and the tree is considered invasive (Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment of 7, plantpono.org/hpwra-plant.php?id=286). It is NOT recommended for planting in new areas.
Photos from Ookala, Hawaii Island, Hawaii. This tree is on the edge of the plantation; even so the growth is impressive.