Tree Species (Scientific Name)

Cedrela odorata

Tree Family

Meliaceae

Average Leaf Size (cm)

16.51cm

Length

5.78cm

Width

Tree Height

Medium (20–35m)

Elevational Range (m)

350–2000m

Distribution

Native

Exotic

Native to Peru

Native to

Region

Americas

Latin America

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Coffee Agroforestry Information

Coffee System

Arabica

Coffee Impact

Beneficial to coffee

Prevalence

Not Common in Coffee Agroforestry

Cultivation

Planted

Natural

Tree Management

Regenerates naturally by wind dispersal and in nurseries by seeds or cuttings. The species drops its leaves during the dry season. The trees produce many fruits and each contains at least 40 seeds. The fruits are collected directly from the tree with a stick and left in the sun until they open and the seeds can be extracted (36 thousand per kg). Without pregerminative treatment, an average of 58% germination is obtained, which occurs between 4 and 46 days after planting. Seeds stored at 20°C remain viable for up to 12-15 months. Naturally regenerated seedlings can also be collected for growing in the nursery. Growth in nursery is fast. Seedlings can reach 30-35 cm in height in a span of 4 months. They require full light during their initial development. High incidence of pests in the growth stage, where they are attacked by moth larvae that pierce the stem medulla, stunting normal development.

Tree Benefits and Uses

Farmer Uses

Lumber
Medicinal

Appreciated for carpentry and joinery, fine furniture, construction, musical instruments, canoes, and crafts. The infusion of the leaves is used to relieve toothache and earache, and dysentery. An infusion of the bark is used to stop bleeding in women. The latex is used to soothe symptoms of bronchitis. The outside of the root is used to treat epilepsy.

Farm Services

Coffee Shade
Soil Improvement

Coffee Shade: deciduous and provides sparse to medium shade
Soil Improvement: in the dry season they stop providing shade and the leaves, flowers, branches and capsules provide organic matter for the soil

Biodiversity Benefits

Yes

Its flowers are food for small bees and butterflies. It retains arthropods that are consumed by specialist birds such as tree-climbing species, flycatchers, vireos, greenlets, and parulas.

Citations

Plants of the World Online POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet: https://powo.science.kew.org/results?;

Román, Francisco, et al. Guía para la propagación de 120 especies de árboles nativos de Panamá y el neotrópico. 2012.;

Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.

Cedrela nebulosa

Cedrelinga cateniformis