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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.
We have many Spanish Cedar Tree
Farms in Costa Rica.
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.
Which makes it a beautiful wood
to
use, in the
construction
of Cigar Humidors!
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 Costa Rica and the
United States,
is in cigar box construction and to
construct and
line cigar humidors.
It is also used to make "high quality"
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
1/4"
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.
It is grown in special
"Tree Plantations",
not cut from the Rainforest.
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.
Spanish Cedar Source
for Humidors:
Wood Workers Source
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