Cedro Espino

Cedro Espino (scientific name: Latin name::Bombacopsis quinata) is also known as red ceiba or spine cedar.

Page under revision!
The statement above and the information on this page, on from 'description', first written by ForestFinance or affiliates, seeing that they put their name under 'Projects with Cedro Espino', doesn't give a clear answer as to which species we are talking about here. Trying to reduce confusion.


 * The names above seem to be local South-American names and they cannot be direcly found as such.
 * Wikipedia considers Bombacopsis quinata to be a synonym of Pachira quinata. It says: Pachira quinata, commonly known as Pochote, is a species flowering tree in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It inhabits dry forests in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, and Colombia. Pochotes bear large, stubby thorns on their trunk and branches and are often planted as living fenceposts with barbed wire strung between them.
 * Cedro Espino gives Cedrelo odorato on Wikipedia which also has the English name West Indian Cedar and is also known as Spanish cedar, Mexican cedar, Cigar-box cedar and Cedro-cheiroso or the Spanish names cedro acajou, cedro español, cedro de las barbares and cedro de Guayana
 * Red Ceiba cannot be found. But the Wikipedia Ceiba page states Ceiba is of family Malvaceae and of subfamily Bombacoideae which corresponds with the said scientific name of Cedro Espino; Bombacopsis quinatal.
 * Spine Cedar cannot be found. The Wikipedia cedar or Wikipedia Cedar Wood pages may give more insight into why.

Description
The Cedro Espino tree can grow up to a height of 115 feet. Its thorny stem can reach diameters of up to 10 feet. Younger trees have a bright green bark which turns into brown later.

The pinnate blades consist mostly of five bright green leaves. At the beginning of the dry season, Cedro Espino looses all of its leaves to protect itself against dehydration. Then it starts to bloom. The 3.5 inches sized, white-rose colored blossoms possess five petals and very long stamina. The elliptical seed vessels contain 30 to 50 tiny seeds hanging on white threads which are spread by the wind.

The wood features various shades of brown.

Geography
Cedro Espino prefers tropical dry forests and can be found from Central America to northern South America. It is threatened with extinction due to heavy deforestation and the rapidly vanishing dry forest.

Forestry
Cedro Espino has to grow for at least 30 years until the wood becomes hard enough and can be harvested.

The trees are often planted as living fenceposts or shade trees because of their fast growth.

Uses
Cedro Espino wood is pest-resistant and very popular for the production of furniture and interior construction. It is relatively light weighted, easy to work on and obtains high prices on the market.

The roots are a remedy for diarrhea and indigestion.