Cedrinho
Scientific name: Erisma uncinatum
Overview
Cedrinho is a versatile South American hardwood native to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and other regions of the Amazon Basin. Despite its name, Cedrinho is not a true cedar. The wood is valued for its combination of moderate weight, good workability, attractive appearance, and broad utility across construction, furniture making, and general woodworking applications.
Cedrinho is often used where a balance of strength, stability, and ease of machining is desired. Its relatively uniform appearance and dependable performance have made it a popular commercial timber throughout much of northern South America.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Cedrinho
- Scientific Name: Erisma uncinatum
- Region: South American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 100–150 ft tall, 2–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 35 lbs/ft³
- Janka Hardness: 920 lbf
- Color: Light brown to yellowish brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Cedrinho typically displays a warm light-brown coloration with a fairly uniform appearance. The wood often resembles some lighter tropical hardwoods and is appreciated for its clean grain and natural luster.
Key identification traits include:
- Light brown to yellowish-brown heartwood
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Moderate natural luster
- Relatively uniform appearance
- Moderate weight and density
Working Properties
Cedrinho is generally considered easy to work and performs well in both hand-tool and machine-tool operations. The wood’s favorable working characteristics contribute to its popularity among woodworkers and manufacturers.
- Machines easily
- Sands smoothly
- Glues well
- Accepts finishes readily
- Good dimensional stability
- Suitable for both interior and exterior projects
Safety Note
No significant toxicity concerns have been widely reported for Cedrinho. Standard dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended when machining or sanding any wood species.
Common Uses
Cedrinho is widely used across a variety of woodworking and construction applications.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior millwork
- Exterior joinery
- Doors and windows
- Flooring
- Veneer
- Construction lumber
- Boatbuilding
- General woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Cedrinho is an important commercial timber throughout much of tropical South America. Its widespread distribution and versatility have contributed to its popularity in regional lumber markets.
The species is often selected as a practical all-around hardwood that offers good performance without the machining challenges associated with some of the densest tropical species.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Curari – Another versatile South American hardwood valued for its balance of workability, strength, and utility.
Marupa – A lighter-weight species often used for furniture components, millwork, and interior applications.
Canela – A moderately dense South American hardwood commonly used in construction and woodworking projects.
Related Guides
Best Woods for Furniture Making – Explore the characteristics that make certain hardwoods suitable for furniture, cabinetry, and interior woodworking projects.
Drying & Acclimating Exotic Woods – Learn how proper drying and acclimation help prevent movement, warping, and other moisture-related issues.
Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained – Understand how changes in moisture content affect wood stability and long-term performance.
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
Cedrinho is an excellent representative of the practical commercial hardwoods harvested throughout the Amazon region. While it is not typically sought after for dramatic figure or rarity, collectors interested in South American timbers often include Cedrinho because it demonstrates the type of versatile utility hardwood that plays an important role in regional woodworking and construction industries.
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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.
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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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