Ever wonder
how those Spanish missions have survived all these years? That's right, Spanish Cedar!
Because of its specific gravity and density it was often carved into canoes by Amazonian
natives because of its buoyancy, but we know it as the cigar lover's friend.
In truth, Spanish Cedar, is neither Spanish nor Cedar. It is, in fact, a deciduous tree (a
tree that loses its leaves in the fall) not an evergreen (like the true cedar). Cedrela
odorata, C. mexicana to be more exact is also known as Spanish cedar, cedrela, Mexican
cedar (or other nation of origin) and cigar box cedar. Known in Central and South America
for its rot and insect resistant qualities it is usually used for exterior architectural
applications of all kinds.
Spanish Cedar is a generally straight-grained wood with occasional spectacular short,
broken ribbon patterns. The tree can grow to heights of one hundred feet and diameters of
six feet. It is clear of branches for forty to sixty feet producing boards free of knots.
When freshly cut, it has pinkish to reddish-brown heartwood, sometimes with dark streaks.
When exposed to the air it turns red or dark reddish brown resembling mahogany in texture
and color.
The oils in Spanish cedar are believed to impart a better flavor to cigars and to help
"marry" the cigar blends as they age, in cedar lined storage areas. When
moistened, as when you prime your humidor, the, scent, slightly reminiscent of true cedar
but with spicy overtones, becomes evident. In order to be effective in your humidor the
wood must be left unfinished.
The main use for this wood in the United States is in cigar box construction and to line
humidors. Other countries use it for furniture, cabinets, chest linings, boatbuilding,
construction, millwork, musical instruments and plywood.
One interesting note: the oils in Spanish cedar produce a vapor that can condense upon and
stain most metals except lacquer coated brass and stainless steel. The wood will often
exude oil over time, but this can be removed with alcohol or acetone; make sure you remove
your cigars until those vapors dissipate!
With the tremendous number of humidors to choose from, the novice is often concerned over
whether or not their humidor is cedar lined. Tests for density and weight are the
scientific choices, but for the shopper, it is usually sufficient to moisten the wood and
smell the spicy cedar aroma. Similar woods like mahogany may have the same color but are
more dense and do not give off this characteristic aroma. If your humidor is not lined
with cedar, you have a few options to correct the oversight. You can purchase Spanish
Cedar from wood specialty shops in 1/8" and ¼" thicknesses and cut them to size. The wood is
currently running from $5.25 to $10.00 a board foot. Some places even sell it by the
square inch so it can get expensive. Another, alternative is to ask your tobacconist for
the interleaf sheets from cigar boxes and either laminate these inside your box with
contact cement or just lay them in the bottom of the box. In most cases, a humidor should
be wet down with distilled water and the humidifying device filled and left sealed for 24
to 48 hours without the cigars. After that time, refill the humidifier and set your cigars
in place.
For you craftsmen out there, here are a few magazines and a fine book which have printed
complete plans to build your own.
Woodsmith v. 19 #110 Sliding Lid Boxes p.6 and Curved Box, p.8. (Note: These are
not humidors but can be adapted).
Popular Mechanics, Dec. 1995, P.85.
American Woodworker, Aug. 1996, p.54.
Better Homes and Gardens Wood Magazine, Aug. 1997, p,47.
Award-Winning Wood Boxes, Lydgate, Tony, Sterling Publishing Co., New York, c.1995.
Bibliography
McClure, Paul L., American Woodworker, Aug. 1996, #53, p.64.
Jackson, Albert & David Day, Good Wood Handbook, Betterway Books, Ohio, c.1996, p.46.
Commercial sources of Spanish
Cedar
Maurice Condon Co, Inc
250 Ferris Ave.
White Plains, NY
(914) 946-4111.
Gilmer Wood Co.
2211 N.W. Saint Helens Road
Portland, Oregon 97210
(503) 274-1271
Eisenbrand, Inc
4100 Spencer St.
Torrance, CA 90503
(800) 258-2587
Groff & Hearne
858 Scottland Rd
Quarryville, PA 17566
(800) 342-0001
Steve
Wall Lumber
P.O. Box 287
Mayodan, NC 27027
1-800-633-4062
Trend Timbers
Cunneen Street
McGraths Hill NSW 2756
(02) 4577 5277
(Australia)