Amazon false cedar: a substitute for medium-density timbers from vulnerable species

Abstract

Some Amazon timber species, such as Cedrela odorata and Swietenia macrophylla, are considered vulnerable due to overexploitation. Cedrelinga cateniformis, known as false cedar, has a medium-density wood that may replace species under great commercial pressure. We have assessed some physical (basic and apparent density; tangential, radial, and volumetric shrinkage) and mechanical properties (resistance to parallel compression, shear, static bending, and static bending stiffness), as well as the shear strength in the bonding surface. With an average apparent density of 0.721 g/cm³, the C. cateniformis wood presented density and shrinkage classified as medium and anisotropy coefficient of 1,654. The mechanical properties were similar or superior to higher density woods. C. cateniformis fits the C20 resistance class, with the potential to substitute species such as Couratari oblongifolia, Vochysia maxima, Cedrela odorata, and Swietenia macrophylla. The shear strength in the bonding surface was lower than that of solid wood and the wood failure percentage was below the recommended. However, the results indicate that it is possible to find an efficient bond when evaluating different bond pressures. C. cateniformis have also a high potential for timber plantations, due to its ecological characteristics, for instance, resistance against the Meliacea shoot borer and association with mycorrhiza.