- ATLAS OF WOODS
- Species Data Sheet
- ORIGIN: Atlantic Forest
Canjerana
- Cabralea canjerana
Canjerana is a tree native to South America, known for the quality of its wood and its wide use in joinery. It offers good workability and significant commercial value, and is also ecologically important.
Family
Meliaceae
Color
Reddish brown to pinkish brown
Density
0.55 to 0.75 g/cm³
Uses
Furniture, carpentry, building construction, window and door frames, and panels.
Grain
Usually straight
Conservation Passport
- IUCN
- Least Concern (LC) · assessed in 2018
- CITES
- Not listed
- BRAZILIAN RED LIST
- Not on the official list
- LEGISLATION
- Not on the official list of threatened species: harvesting of native trees only with an approved PMFS or a clearing authorization from the environmental agency, and transport with a DOF (Sinaflor).
About the species
Canjerana (Cabralea canjerana) is a native tree species of great ecological and timber importance in Brazil.
It belongs to the Meliaceae family, the family of mahogany and cedar.
It is known for its pinkish wood of excellent quality, highly prized in fine joinery and ornamental applications, and also has ecological and landscape importance.
It is often compared to noble species in some applications.
The Meliaceae family includes many tropical trees of high timber value.
The species has several common names in South America. In neighboring countries it may also be called cancharana.
- Common names
Historical and cultural significance
– Canjerana has historical importance in Brazilian joinery and carpentry.
– Traditionally, its wood is used for furniture making, carpentry and building construction.
– It is found in old buildings in southern and southeastern Brazil.
– In some regions, it is considered an alternative to cedar, due to its similar uses and appearance.
– In addition, the tree has ecological and cultural value in the forests of the Atlantic Forest.
Botanical classification
- DOMAIN
- Eukaryota
- KINGDOM
- Plantae
- DIVISION
- Magnoliophyta
- CLASS
- Magnoliopsida
- ORDER
- Sapindales
- FAMILY
- Meliaceae
- GENUS
- Cabralea
- SPECIES
- Cabralea canjerana
Natural distribution
- States of occurrence
- Ecology and habitat
– It occurs naturally in the Atlantic Forest, in semideciduous seasonal forests and in riparian forests.
– It grows in well-drained soils, tropical and subtropical climates and secondary forests.
– Countries of occurrence (South America): Brazil / Argentina / Paraguay / Uruguay
Tree morphology
- SIZE
- Medium to large size, a tree between 15 and 30 m tall.
- TRUNK
- Straight and cylindrical.
- BARK
- Grayish to light brown, with fissures.
- CROWN
- Broad and relatively dense.
- DBH
- 50 to 80 cm.
- LEAVES
- Compound and alternate.
- FRUIT
- Woody capsules containing seeds wrapped in a colorful aril.
Maturity and harvest
- Timeline · from seed to senescence
Economic harvest · 25 to 35 years
economic harvest age
Full maturity · 30 to 40 years
peak quality
– Canjerana grows at a moderate rate.
– Forest management sets a minimum cutting diameter, usually between 40 and 60 cm DBH.
Wood characteristics
- HEARTWOOD
- Reddish brown to pinkish brown.
- SAPWOOD
- Light yellow to beige, clearly distinct.
- TEXTURE
- Medium.
- GRAIN
- Usually straight.
- Working properties
– Workability: very good.
– Natural durability: moderate.
– Finishing: good.
– Dimensional stability: good.
– Density: Moderately heavy (0.55 to 0.75 g/cm³).
– Classification: It is classified as a semi-noble wood due to its good quality, ease of working and intermediate commercial value.
Wood uses
- Uses of the tree
– Reforestation
– Restoration of degraded areas
– Tree planting
– Ornamental species suited to parks and large gardens
Conservation and legislation
– The species has declined in some regions due to deforestation of the Atlantic Forest.
– Its harvesting must follow Brazilian environmental law, sustainable forest management plans and regional harvesting controls.
Additional information
– Canjerana has great economic value in joinery.
– It stands out for its cedar-like color, excellent workability, good finish, wood of good aesthetic quality, versatility of use and high value in quality joinery.
– An important tree for ecological restoration.
– It has potential for silviculture and sustainable management, especially in Atlantic Forest areas.
– In some applications, it can replace nobler species, depending on the project’s requirements.