Australian Red Cedar
Scientific name: Toona ciliata
Overview
Australian Red Cedar is a highly valued tropical hardwood native to eastern Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. Historically it was one of the most important cabinet timbers harvested in Australia and was heavily used during the 19th century for fine furniture and architectural joinery.
The wood is known for its attractive reddish-brown color, straight grain, and excellent workability. Because of its moderate weight and ease of machining, Australian Red Cedar has often been compared to genuine mahogany.
Today it remains a prized woodworking timber used for furniture, cabinetry, carving, and interior joinery.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Australian Red Cedar
- Scientific Name: Toona ciliata
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia & Southeast Asia)
- Tree Size: 100–160 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 34 lbs/ft³ (545 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 850 lbf
- Color: Pinkish brown to reddish brown, darkening with age
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Australian Red Cedar heartwood ranges from pale pinkish brown to deep reddish brown. The wood often darkens with age and exposure to light. The grain is typically straight, though some boards may display slight interlocking patterns.
Key identification traits include:
- Pinkish to reddish brown color
- Straight grain pattern
- Moderate natural luster
- Medium texture
Working Properties
Australian Red Cedar is widely regarded as an excellent woodworking timber due to its light weight and ease of machining.
- Machines easily with hand and power tools
- Cuts and carves well
- Gluing and finishing properties are excellent
- Produces smooth finished surfaces
Safety Note
Dust from Australian Red Cedar may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard woodworking dust protection is recommended.
Common Uses
Australian Red Cedar has been widely used in woodworking and furniture production for more than a century.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- Carving
- Paneling
- Turned objects
Sustainability & Notes
Large stands of Australian Red Cedar were heavily harvested during the early development of Australia. Today the species is less commonly logged and much of the material used in woodworking comes from managed forests or plantations.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Honduran Mahogany – Similar color and workability but generally heavier.
Queensland Maple – Another Australian furniture wood with lighter color.
Australian Blackwood – Slightly darker and denser Australian cabinet timber.
Related Guides
Hardwood vs Softwood
Understand the fundamental differences between hardwood and softwood species, including structure, growth, and common uses.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper drying ensures dimensional stability when used in furniture and cabinetry.
Cedar Species Guide
Compare cedar species from around the world, including differences in appearance, durability, workability, natural resistance, and common woodworking uses.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Collectors value Australian Red Cedar for its historical significance in Australian furniture making. Older samples may display deeper reddish tones due to natural aging of the wood.
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Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
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When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
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Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive.
In the future, visitors will be able to support the preservation of hardwood knowledge and global forest conservation through the Adopt a Species program.
A portion of contributions will help fund the continued expansion of this archive, while the majority will be donated to forest conservation organizations working to protect the ecosystems where these species grow.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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