Red Cedar is a sub-tropical rainforest tree classified in the Mahogany family and is classed as softwood. It is one of Australia’s few native, deciduous trees. The wood is considered easy to work with, and along with it grain and finish, made it vulnerable to over-harvesting in the early 20th century.
While Red Cedar grows throughout southern Asia, from Afghanistan to Papua New Guinea and in Australia, the wood sourced and used in Pen Elegance pens is from Australia. It is a light, fine-grained timber bestowing a beautiful, even, deep-red colour.
It is sad to say that 200 years ago these majestic trees grew in great abundance along the entire east coast of Australia, from the Clyde River in Southern New South Wales to far north Queensland, where they were over-harvested early in the 20th century.
Red Cedar trees thrives on deep well drained basalt soils usually found along rivers and creeks in areas of high summer rainfall. It is one of Australia’s few native, deciduous trees.
As, is the case for all woods used in the pens created by Pen Elegance, the wood is only obtained through reputable sources.
Red Cedar is a beautiful dark wood, and this is what makes this wood an excellent choice for wood in a Pen Elegance pen.
I also hope the story of Red Cedar invokes a reminder that all of our natural resources need to be guarded and protected and respectfully managed for both now and into the future.
