African pencil cedar
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
At a glance
Scientific nameJuniperus procera
Trade / common nameAfrican pencil cedar
FamilyConiferae
RegionAfrica
Distribution
E Africa: NE Sudan near the Red Sea, the Ethiopian Highlands, in Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, in extreme eastern Congo Republic (Haut Katanga), Malawi, northeastern Zimbabwe; also in the mountains adjoining the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Juniperus procera occurs in the mountainous regions and highlands of East Africa. ... This distribution coincides largely with the Eritreo-Arabian Subregion of Takhtajan. The southernmost occurrence of the genus is in the Inyanga Mountains of Zimbabwe, but it is represented by a single (protected) tree only. Its altitudinal range in Africa is between 1050-3600 m, it occurs most commonly between 1800-2700 m. Rainfall is the predominant factor determining growth and occurrence; in East Africa it is most luxuriant where the rainfall averages 1000-1200 mm annually. Stunted trees are still found in savannahs with annual precipitation of only 400 mm.
Uses
Agricultural implements, Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Pencil, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stairworks, Stools, Toys, Turnery, Vats
Countries & Distribution
These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.
Wood images
Linked historical images associated with this species record.
Projects & Inspiration
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Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.
Agricultural implements, Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Pencil, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stairworks, Stools, Toys, Turnery, Vats
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Project guidance can build on this species record, its properties and documented uses.
Appearance
Heartwood color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Brown
Yellow
Black
Green/grey
Orange
Reddish brown
Purple
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale red to pink
Red
Turn reddish brown upon exposure
Yellowish brown
Similar in appearance to the popular Pencil cedar (Juniperus virginiana ), but it has less defined growth rings.
Sapwood Color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Green/Grey
Brown
Yellow
White to yellow
Well defined
White
Paler than heartwood
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Uses & Applications
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Pencil, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stairworks, Stools, Toys, Turnery, Vats
Product Sources
African pencil cedar has largely replaced the popular American species (J. virginiana) for the production of pencils when the latter became scarce, but it is currently competeing with American incence cedar (Libocedrus decurrens), which has milder properties, and is also easier to cut in any direction.
African pencil cedar is exported as lumber and in the form of pencil slats, and the sawdust yields Cedarwood oil upon distillation.
Full Technical Species Profile
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Protected technical content includes physical and mechanical properties, working and drying characteristics, durability data, detailed technical observations, references and methodology.