Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Cedrela odorata
Lumber
Medicinal
English Common Name
Spanish Cedar
Peru Common Name
Cedro agua, Cedro, Cedrillo, Cedro colorado, Cedro rojo, Cedro oloroso
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
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 climbers, flycatchers, vireos, greenlets, and parulas.
Citations
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.