Cedro Andino
Scientific name: Cedrela angustifolia
Overview
Cedro Andino is a medium to large deciduous hardwood native to the Andean regions of South America. Cedrela angustifolia belongs to the Meliaceae family, the same family that contains true mahoganies and several other important tropical timber trees. It occurs primarily in montane forests of countries including Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina.
The heartwood generally ranges from pale reddish brown and pinkish brown to medium brown, often deepening with age and exposure. Sapwood is considerably lighter and usually clearly differentiated from mature heartwood. Grain is generally straight to interlocked, while texture ranges from medium to moderately coarse.
Cedro Andino is valued for its relatively low weight, attractive coloration, dimensional stability, and favorable woodworking characteristics. The timber can be used for furniture, cabinetry, doors, interior joinery, carving, decorative work, and other applications similar to those traditionally associated with tropical cedars.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Cedro Andino
- Alternate Common Names: Andean Cedar, Cedro de Altura
- Scientific Name: Cedrela angustifolia
- Region: South American Woods
- Tree Size: Approximately 65–100 ft (20–30 m) tall, occasionally larger under favorable conditions
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 30–35 lbs/ft³ (480–560 kg/m³), with natural variation
- Janka Hardness: Reliable standardized species-specific values are not consistently documented
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to moderately coarse
Identification Characteristics
Cedro Andino generally produces pale reddish-brown, pinkish-brown, or medium-brown heartwood. Fresh material can appear relatively light, while older surfaces may develop deeper reddish or warm brown coloration.
Sapwood is generally cream to pale yellowish brown and contrasts noticeably with mature heartwood.
Grain is commonly straight but may become interlocked or irregular. The wood can also possess a characteristic cedar-like aroma associated with natural extractives.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale reddish-brown to medium-brown heartwood
- Color typically deepens with age
- Cream to pale yellowish sapwood
- Noticeable heartwood and sapwood contrast
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to moderately coarse texture
- Potential aromatic character
Working Properties
Cedro Andino generally offers favorable woodworking characteristics. Its moderate-to-low density makes it considerably easier to machine than many dense South American hardwoods.
Straight-grained material usually cuts and planes cleanly. Interlocked sections may require lighter passes to reduce tear-out.
The wood generally carves, sands, glues, and finishes well, making it particularly suitable for furniture and interior woodworking.
- Machines readily with sharp tools
- Cuts and planes well
- Suitable for carving
- Turns reasonably well
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Glues satisfactorily
- Accepts stains, oils, and clear finishes well
Safety Note
Wood dust from Cedrela species may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Some woodworkers may experience stronger reactions after repeated exposure.
Effective dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during sawing, routing, carving, turning, and sanding.
Common Uses
Its attractive coloration, relatively low weight, dimensional stability, and favorable workability make Cedro Andino suitable for applications including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Doors
- Interior joinery
- Architectural millwork
- Carving
- Decorative boxes
- Paneling
- Wood turning
- Specialty woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Cedro Andino occurs primarily within Andean montane forests, ecosystems characterized by elevation, complex terrain, and distinctive climatic conditions.
These forests provide important watershed protection, wildlife habitat, carbon storage, soil stabilization, and exceptional biological diversity.
Like other valuable Cedrela species, Cedro Andino has experienced pressure from selective timber harvesting and habitat loss in portions of its natural range. Responsible sourcing and documentation are therefore particularly important.
International movement of Cedrela timber can also be affected by CITES requirements. Buyers, collectors, and importers should verify current regulations and retain sourcing documentation when acquiring material.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Cedro – Another South American Cedrela valued for furniture, cabinetry, carving, interior joinery, and other applications requiring lightweight, workable timber.
Spanish Cedar – One of the best-known Cedrela timbers, providing an important comparison in color, aroma, workability, uses, and conservation concerns.
Andean Walnut – Another valuable hardwood associated with Andean forests, providing a useful comparison in geographic distribution, coloration, density, and woodworking applications.
Related Guides
Understanding CITES & Protected Species
Learn how international conservation agreements can affect the harvesting, sale, import, export, and documentation of regulated timber species.
Why Some Species Become Restricted
Explore how valuable timber, habitat loss, selective harvesting, limited regeneration, and international demand can contribute to conservation concerns.
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time
Learn how exposure to oxygen and ultraviolet light can alter reddish, orange, brown, purple, and other naturally colored hardwoods.
Best Woods for Furniture Making
Compare furniture woods based on appearance, stability, strength, workability, durability, and finishing characteristics.
Wood Toxicity and Allergies Guide
Learn about potential reactions to wood dust and natural compounds and the precautions woodworkers should consider when machining tropical timber.
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
Cedro Andino is particularly interesting for collectors because it represents a montane Andean member of an important tropical timber genus.
Authenticated material with documented elevation and geographic origin can be especially valuable because provenance helps distinguish the specimen from other superficially similar Cedrela woods.
Because conservation and international trade considerations may apply, collector specimens should retain the scientific name Cedrela angustifolia, country or region of origin, acquisition date, source, and any available legal or sourcing documentation.
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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.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
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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