hardwood · Cedrela odorata

Spanish Cedar wood properties

Also known as: cedro.

Type hardwood
Botanical name Cedrela odorata
Modulus of elasticity (MOE) 1,323,000 psi
Specific gravity 0.47
Density (approx) 29 lb/ft³ (2.4 lb per board foot)
Janka hardness 600 lbf
Shrinkage (tangential / radial) 6.2% / 4.1%
Region Central and South America and the Caribbean; also plantation-grown

A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Spanish Cedar weighs about 9.8 lb (roughly 29 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 600 lbf is harder than about 27% of the woods in our database.

Uses and working notes

Common uses: cabinetry, musical instruments, humidors, boatbuilding, veneer.

Durability: Durable to moderately durable, termite-resistant and weathering well.

Workability: Easy under hand and power tools, though its low density leaves fuzz unless cutters stay sharp.

Use this data

Similar woods

Woods with comparable hardness and density to Spanish Cedar:

How these numbers were sourced

MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Spanish Cedar is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.

Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.

Sources

These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.