THE CUB A R h \ I K W 



13 



A Cigar Box Cedar Tree Planted for Shade 

 and Ornament. 



cedar to run into varieties, many of which assume the character of distinct species, and trees 

 almost similar in appearance to the true cedar occur as tar south as Argentina. Perhaps no 

 other tropical timber tree can thrive in such a great variety of soils as the cigar box cedar, but 

 it is probably most abundant in the deep, moist and rich soil of southern Mexico, where it is, 

 however, inferior, though larger than in Cuba and Jamaica. The best wood is said to be derived 

 from trees grown on the upland situations in Cuba, Haiti and Trinidad. In Cuba, it reaches 

 its greatest development in the rich valleys and fertile mountain slopes. 



The tree yielding this important wood attains a height ot from SO to 100 feet and a trunk 

 diameter of from two to six or more feet. The trunks which are usually cylindrical above the 

 enlarged root swelling are tree from branches for the first 30 or 40 feet. The tree has been de- 

 scribed as yielding enormous dimensions, furnishing boards of such great width that a single 

 one is sufficient to make a door or a table top. The logs frequently contain from 3,000 to 5,000 

 board feet; the average run where 15 inch logs are included is about 700 board feet to the 

 tree. Unfortunately, the trees develop large buttresses extending to the height of from six to 

 ten feet from the ground. The best portion ot the trunk oi a tree felled for timber is generally 

 left in the lorest, because those who fell the trees invariably cut them above the root swellings. 



When cigar box wood is first cut it is pale reddish brown color which upon exposure to 

 light and air turns darker, often remotely resembling certain grades of cherry; other grades 

 resemble true mahogany for which it is often substituted and used. The most desirable wood is 

 obtained from trees grown on uplands. Such trees have a reddish brown wood that is fuiely 

 mottled and figured. The majority of the iogs are cross-grained and show alternate lines of 

 light and dark shades to mahogany. The wood from large burls, burr or sound knots are 



