CRAMANTEE
Cedrillo / Guarea spp.
Local Names
American Muskwood, Marapolan, Totocoy, Arapillo, Cabimbo, Caobano, Peonía, Roble, Trompillo, Guaraguao.
Distribution & Tree
Carmantee is found from southern Mexico through Central America, and southward to Brazil and Argentina and the West Indies (its scientific name derives from an indigenous word in Cuba guara). It occurs naturally in riparian corridors and areas with high humidity, and is sometimes planted on coffee plantations for shade. Commonly 25 meters in height and up to 100 centimeters in diameter. Referred to in many parts of Central America as cedrillo (little cedar), its characteristics and uses compare with those of its better-known relatives in the Meliaceae family, big-leaf mahogany and Spanish cedar. It produces fragrant white or rose-colored flowers.
Wood Appearance
Heartwood pinkish to deep reddish- brown with sapwood distinct from the heartwood. Luster is rather low. Its texture is medium with a straight to slightly interwoven grain. It takes a good, smooth finish. Green wood has an apple-like aroma which becomes imperceptible when dry.
Processing Properties
The wood saws and machines easily and well in all operations. It takes nails well, although boring may be required to avoid splitting. It has good dimensional stability with shrinkage similar to big-leaf mahogany.
Strength & Durability
With a medium density and hardness, the heartwood has good resistance to dry-wood termites and rot and is durable in the ground. It can be exposed to occasional dampness.
Wood Uses
Furniture, doors, windows, cabinet work, turnery, interior trim, joinery, ship construction (planking and trim), general carpentry, tool handles, and decorative and utility veneer and plywood. It can be used for flooring, steps and handrails.
Non-Timber Uses
It has laxative properties, inspiring its moniker in Nicaragua as “quitacalzón” (“underpant remover”) and Mexico as “prontoalivio” (“rapid relief”). Its fruits are a source of food for many forest animals. It’s often employed ornamentally in parks and along alamedas.
| Reference Species | ||||
| Technical Characteristics | Cedrillo | Big-Leaf Mahogany | Teak | |
| Density | kg/m3 | 641 | 560 | 624 |
| Janka Hardness | kgf | 471 | 456 | 500 |
| Bending Stiffness (Modulus of Elasticity) | GPa | 11.1 | 10.1 | 13.7 |
| Bending Strength (Modulus of Rupture) | MPa | 66.9 | 80.8 | 97.1 |
| Crushing Strength | MPa | 43.3 | 46.6 | 54.8 |
| Shrinkage, Radial | % | 2.6% | 2.9% | 2.6% |
| Shrinkage, Tangential | % | 5.6% | 4.3% | 5.3% |
| Shrinkage, Volumetric | % | 12.1% | 7.5% | 7.2% |
| T/R Ratio | 2.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | |
| Values determined at 12% humidity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
DENSITY
JANKA HARDNESS
BENDING STIFFNESS
BENDING STRENGTH
CRUSHING STRENGTH
SHRINKAGE
Values are for reference only and cannot be guaranteed. Wood is a natural material and physical and mechanical properties may vary depending on age, genetics, and other factors. We encourage customers to consult the references provided in the bibliography. For further explanations of wood’s key technical characteristics, an excellent resource is the Wood Database with articles on Density (average dried weight); Janka hardness; Elastic Modulus; Rupture Modulus; Crushing Strength; Radial, Tangential and Volumetric Shrinkage.
| References | View Source |
| “Catálogo virtual de flora del Valle de Aburrá.” Universidad EIA. |  |
| “Maderas de Putumayo: Fichas técnicas para la identificación de especies maderables de Colombia." GFTN. WWF | |
| “Propiedades y Usos de la Madera de Marapolan.” CUPROFOR/ITTO. 1999. | |
| Cedrillo. "Fichas técnicas sobre características tecnológicas y usos de maderas comercializadas en México." Tomo II. CONAFOR. | |
| Chinchón. Vignote Peña "Principales Maderas Tropicales Utilizadas en España." | |
| Cordero, J. Boshier, D. "Arboles de Centroamerica: Un manual para extensionistas." Oxford/Catie. 2003 | |
| Cramantee. Wood Technology Transfer Fact Sheets. Forest Products Laboratory. USDA Forest Service. | |
| Francis, John K; Lowe, Carol. Bioecología de arboles nativos y exóticos de Puerto Rico y las Indias Occidentales. International Institute of Tropical Forestry (Río Piedras, San Juan, P.R.). 2000. | |
| Guias Silviculturales de 23 Especies Forestales del Bosque Humedo de Honduras. Proyecto PD 022/99 Rev 2. PROECEN, ESNACIFOR, OIMT. | |
| Hout Database | |
| ITTO Lesser Known Species | |
| Laboratorio de Ecología de Poblaciones y Comunidades Tropicales, UNAM | |
| León Hernández, WJ. "Anatomía de Maderas de 130 Especies de Venezuela." PE 2. PITTIERIA. Universidad de los Andes. 2020 | |
| Little, Jr., Elbert; Wadsworth, Frank H. "Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands." 1964. | |
| Notes on Forty-Two Secondary Hardwood Timbers of British Honduras. Forest Department Bulletin No. 1. April 1946. | |
| Requia."Maderas del Peru." Promdex/ WWF/USAID/INIA | |
| Shupe, T. et al. "Wood properties of selected lesser-used Honduran wood species." Journal of Tropical Forest Science 17(3):438-446. July 2005. | |
| The Wood Database | |