Chapter XIII: Forestry

The virgin forests of Cuba, at the time of the Spanish conquest, were rich in hardwoods, such as mahogany, cedar, rosewood, ebony, lignum-vitæ and many others unknown in the markets of the United States. During four centuries these forests have been one of Cuba’s most important assets. Unfortunately this source of wealth has been drawn upon without forethought or discrimination since the first white settlers began to use the products of the forest in 1515.

The completion of the North Shore Railroad of Camaguey, extending from Caibarien to Nuevitas, will soon open up the great hardwood forests of the Sierra de Cubitas and add greatly to the wealth of that district.

There are 367 varieties of valuable forest trees, described with more or less detail in the Bureau of Forestry connected with the Department of Agriculture of Cuba. More than half of these are susceptible of taking a high polish, and would if known undoubtedly command remunerative prices in the hardwood markets of the world. At the present time, two only, cedar and mahogany, are sought and quoted in the commercial centers of the United States.

While we find in Cuba few forest trees common to the United States, nearly all of the standard woods, such as oak, hickory, ash, maple, beech and walnut, seem to have their equivalents, from the viewpoint of utility at least, in the native woods of this Island. For purposes of manufacture, carriage making, naval uses, house building, cabinet work and fine carving, or general construction, Cuba has many woods of unsurpassed merit and often of rare beauty.

The following list contains 60 of the most useful woods found in the forests of Cuba. Nearly all of these take a very high polish and are valuable in the arts as well as for construction purposes. Not more than a half dozen, unfortunately, are known to the hardwood trade, even by name, and since most of these names are purely local, they would mean little to the dealers outside of the Island of Cuba, where most of them are in daily use;

ACANA: indigenous to Cuba; grows to height of 50 feet with diameter
of two feet; hard, compact, deep wine color; used in general
construction work, and is especially valuable for making
carpenters’ planes and tools. Wears indefinitely. Sp. Gr. 1.28.

ACEITILLO: indigenous; grows to height of 30 feet; common
throughout the Island; strong and tough; light yellow color; used
for general construction. Sp. Gr. 1.04.

AITE: indigenous; grows to height of 25 feet; diameter 2 feet; of
common occurrence; strong and compact; light brown color; used in
cabinet work. Sp. Gr. 1.07.

AYUA BLANCO: indigenous; 55 feet in height; 2 feet in diameter;
found in Pinar del Rio and Isle of Pines; soft; white in color;
used for boxes, beehives, cross beams; produces a gum used in
medicine. Sp. Gr. 0.72.

ALMACIGO COLORADO: indigenous; 50 feet in height; 2 feet in
diameter; found everywhere; soft; reddish color, used for fence
posts and charcoal; has medicinal properties and produces resin.
Sp. Gr. 0.38.

AMIQUA: indigenous; 40 feet in height; 7 feet diameter; hard,
compact, reddish in color; found in light soils; used for joists
and beams, and for wagons. Sp. Gr. 1.16.

ALGARROBO: indigenous; 75 feet in height, diameter 4-1/2 feet;
strong; yellowish color; found in deep soils; used for building
purposes; yields a varnish and has medicinal properties. Sp. Gr.
0.64.

ATEJA MACHO: indigenous; 50 feet in height; 3 feet in diameter;
found throughout Island, also in Isle of Pines; flexible and hard;
grey in color; used in general construction and ship building; Sp.
Gr. 0.87.

ATEJA HEMBRA: indigenous; 50 feet in height; 3 feet diameter; found
in Pinar del Rio; hard, compact and heavy grained; yellow in color;
found in deep soils; used for general carpenter work. Sp. Gr. 0.62.

AGUACATILLO: indigenous; 55 feet in height; found all over Island,
including Isle of Pines; soft and light; light green color; found
in black lands; general carpenter work; Sp. Gr. 1.14.

ARABO: indigenous; 25 feet in height; found on coast; fibrous,
compact and strong; reddish brown color; used for poles and general
carpenter work; bears fruit eaten by cattle; takes beautiful
polish; Sp. Gr. 1.52.

ABRAN DE COSTA: indigenous; found Pinar del Rio; strong, compact;
mahogany color; cabinet work; Sp. Gr. 0.97.

BAGA: indigenous; 25 feet in height; found on coast and on river
banks; very light in weight; greyish brown in color; used for fish
net floats; bears fruit eaten by cattle; Sp. Gr. 0.6.

BARIA: indigenous; 50 feet in height; found all over Island, in
deep soil; easily worked, dark brown color; used in general
carpenter work; flowers produce feed for bees; takes a fine polish;
Sp. Gr. 0.78.

BRAZILETE COLORADO: indigenous; 25 feet in height; found on coast,
also in the savannas; excellent wood; reddish brown; used for
turning purposes and inlaid work; takes high polish; produces a
dye; Sp. Gr. 0.9.

BAYITO: indigenous; 30 feet in height; found in Pinar del Rio; hard
and compact; variegated brown color; used for frames, posts, etc.;
takes high polish. Sp. Gr. 1.25.

CAGUAIRAN or QUIEBRA HACHA: indigenous; 45 feet height, 3 feet
diameter; found in Oriente; resists rot; compact, heavy and hard;
reddish brown color; used for beams, channel posts, etc. Sp. Gr.
1.44.

CANA FISTOLA CIMARRONA: indigenous; 45 feet in height, scattered
over Island; beautiful, strong and resistant wood; reddish in
color; adapted for tool handles. Sp. Gr. 0.87.

CAIMITILLO: indigenous; 35 feet height; found all over Island;
hard, tough wood; used in carriage manufacture; bears fruit; Sp.
Gr. 1.1.

CAREY DE COSTA: indigenous small tree, found on coasts and
savannas; heavy and brittle; dark tortoise shell color; takes
beautiful polish; used for cabinet work; Sp. Gr. 1.04.

CERILLO: indigenous; 35 feet in height; diameter 18 inches; found
in western end of Island; excellent wood; yellow in color; used for
cabinet work; takes fine polish; Sp. Gr. 0.56.

CARNE DE DONCELLA: indigenous; 50 feet height; 18 inches diameter;
common in forests; compact, tough and hard; rose color; grown in
rich lands; used for table tops and carriage work. Sp. Gr. 0.92.

CHICHARRON AMARILLO: indigenous; 36 feet in height; 18 inches in
diameter; common in forests; strong, elastic and durable; dark
yellow color; used for posts, sleepers, channel stakes, etc. Sp.
Gr. 0.96.

CHICHARRON PRIETO: indigenous; 36 feet height; 18 inches diameter;
strong solid wood; brown color; used in carriage work.

CAOBA or MAHOGANY: five varieties of this tree; indigenous; 36 feet
in height, from six to twelve feet in diameter; grows all over the
Island; excellent and durable wood; color mahogany or dark red;
used for fine carpenter work and furniture; Sp. Gr. 1.45.

CEDRO or CEDAR: four varieties; indigenous; 60 to 75 feet in
height; 6 feet in diameter; found all over Island; soft and easily
worked; light mahogany color; used in fine carpenter work; cabinet
work; Sp. Gr. 0.9.

CUYA O CAROLINA: three varieties; indigenous; very hard and
compact; light wine color; used for uprights, beams and
construction work. Sp. Gr. 1.02.

DAGAME: indigenous; 40 to 45 feet in height; 18 inches in diameter;
grows on hilly land; strong and compact; yellowish grey color; used
for carpentry and carriage work; Sp. Gr. 0.74.

ROYAL EBONY: indigenous; 34 feet in height; found on coast lands;
good wood; black in color; used for canes; inlaid work; familiar in
United States for fine cabinet work; Sp. Gr. 1.17.

ESPUELA DE CABALLERO: indigenous; small tree, found all over
Island; excellent wood; yellow to red in color; used for fancy
canes, turning and inlaid work; Sp. Gr. 0.9.

FUSTETE: indigenous; 36 feet in height; found in dense forests or
Oriente and Camaguey; dark wine color; used for carpenter and
carriage work; is yellow dye wood; Sp. Gr. 1.32.

GRANADILLIA: indigenous; 20 to 25 feet in height; small diameter;
hard, compact and tough; mottled brown and bright yellow in color;
used for fine inlaid work and canes; Sp. Gr. 0.89.

GUAMA DE COSTUS: indigenous; 25 to 35 feet in height; hard, tough
and compact; light cinnamon color; used in construction work and
for ox-yokes and plows; Sp. Gr. 0.68.

GUAYABO COTORRERO: indigenous; 25 to 30 feet in height; small
diameter; all over Island; ductile, chrome yellow color; used for
cabinet work; tool handles; Sp. Gr. 0.92.

GUARACAN PRIETO or Lignum Vitae: indigenous; 55 to 60 feet in
height; comparatively slender; found on coast; durable and compact;
dark brown mottled with yellow; used for turning, banisters,
croquet balls, and shaft bearings; Sp. Gr. 1.17.

GUAYACAN BLANCO: indigenous; 30 to 35 feet in height; slender,
strong and compact; light yellow color; grows on black lands;
especially useful for carriage and wagon spokes; Sp. Gr. 0.79.

HUMUS: indigenous; hard compact and tough; blood red in color;
fine carpentry and cabinet work; furnishes a dye; Sp. Gr. 0.84.

JIQUI: indigenous; 50 to 60 feet in height; 3 feet diameter;
strong, hard, durable, dark brown in color; found in all soils;
used for supports, posts, channel stakes and stakes for boundary
lines; never rots in swamp land; makes good charcoal.

JUCARO PRIETO: two varieties; indigenous; 60 to 75 feet in height;
four feet in diameter; all over Island; very strong; impervious to
rot in swampy and bad lands; used for wagon and carpenter work;
especially adapted for pilings.

JUCARO AMARILLO: indigenous; 30 to 35 feet in height; slender; all
over the Island; strong and compact, yellow color, especially
adapted for posts and wagon axles; Sp. Gr. 1.13.

JACARANDA: indigenous; 45 to 55 feet in height; strong, tough and
resistant; yellowish grey; carpenter and furniture work; Sp. Gr.
0.89.

JAGUA: indigenous; 30 to 35 feet in height; 18 inches in diameter;
found all over Island; strong, elastic and durable; yellow in
color; adapted for carriage work, moulds, lances, etc.

JATIA: indigenous; 25 to 30 feet in height; 16 inches in diameter;
found in eastern end of Island; strong, hard and compact; dark
yellow; used in cabinet work and canes; Sp. Gr. 0.94.

JAYAJABICO: indigenous; small tree, found in Pinar del Rio; hard,
tough and compact; light chestnut color; used in carriage work,
cabinet work, canes, etc.; Sp. Gr. 1.12.

LEBRISA: indigenous; 25 to 30 feet in height; eastern end of the
Island; strong and resistant; yellowish color; adapted for axles,
tillers, and general carpenter work; Sp. Gr. 1.00.

MAJUGUA MACHO: indigenous; three varieties; 45 to 50 feet in
height; 3 feet in diameter; found all over Island; very resilient
and flexible; mouse color; variegated with black and cream
splashes used in fine cabinet and furniture work; also fine for
carriage work, knees and arches. From the inner bark natives braid
a strong picket rope in a few minutes; Sp. Gr. 0.59.

MABOA: indigenous; 30 to 45 feet in height; 2 feet in diameter;
found in all forests; strong and compact, ash color; used for
beams, posts and also for cabinet work; Sp. Gr. 1.3.

MANZANILLO: indigenous; 20 to 25 feet in height; 3 feet in
diameter; found on coast; good wood; yellowish grey color; found in
the low lands; used for furniture and fine cabinet work; Sp. Gr.
0.7.

MAMONCILLO: indigenous; 55 to 60 feet in height; 3 feet in
diameter; found all over the Island; hard and compact; light
mahogany color; yields an edible plum; used in cabinet work; Sp.
Gr. 0.85.

MORAL NEGRO: found all over the Island, strong and solid; dark
chestnut color; used in fine carpentry and cabinet work; Sp. Gr.
0.75.

MORUO: indigenous; 50 to 60 feet in height; found in all forests;
good wood; wine colored; used for general carpentry and carriage
work; takes a high polish; Sp. Gr. 1.06.

OCUJE: indigenous; 45 to 50 feet in height; strong, tough and
resistant; red color; used in carriage work and channel stakes; Sp.
Gr. 0.77.

PALO DE LANZA: (lance wood) indigenous; 30 to 35 feet in height;
very resilient and flexible; light yellow color; used for yard
sticks, tool handles, light strong poles and wood springs; Sp. Gr.
0.84.

PALO CAMPECHE: (log wood) indigenous; 25 to 35 feet in height;
found in deep forests; hard, heavy and compact; deep purple color;
used for turning and produces log wood dye; Sp. Gr. 0.9.

ROBLE: five varieties; indigenous; 40 to 45 feet in height; good
wood, general carpenter work and shelving; Sp. Gr. 0.73.

SABINA: indigenous; found in eastern end of Island; hard beautiful
wood, mottled chocolate color; furniture and general construction;
Sp. Gr. 0.65.

SABICU: indigenous; very large tree, sometimes called imitation
mahogany; hard, tough and compact; mahogany color; used for rail
chalks, port holes of ships, wagons, etc.

TAGUA: indigenous; 25 to 30 feet in height; hard, compact and
durable; used for fine cabinet work and musical instruments; Sp.
Gr. 0.7.

YABA: indigenous; 45 feet in height; abundant, strong and compact;
reddish color; used for wagon work, general construction and
turning; Sp. Gr. 0.88.

TANA: indigenous; very hard, inflexible; grows in damp and sandy
soils; specially adapted for naval construction; Sp. Gr. 1.02.

YAMAGUA: indigenous; 30 to 35 feet in height; 20 inches in
diameter; excellent wood; reddish yellow; used in general
construction work; Spec. Gr. 0.7.

Specimens of all these woods, together with some three hundred others, form a collection that may be seen at any time at the Government Experimental Station at Santiago de las Vegas.

Scattered throughout the broad grass covered savannas that lie along some parts of the coast of Cuba, are found heavily wooded clumps of forest trees, that stand up out of the grassy plains like islands, and give rather a peculiar effect to the landscape. In these “Cayos de Monte,” as they are called, are found nearly all of the small, hard and durable woods of Cuba, such as Ebony, Lignum Vitae or Guayacan, Grenadillo and others of similar character, that seldom make tall trees, but that frequently have a value in the markets of the world that cause them to be sold by the pound or hundredweight, instead of by board measure.

The great bulk of timber lands, or virgin forests of Cuba, are scattered throughout the mountainous districts of the Island, mostly in Santa Clara and Oriente, and belong to non-resident owners living in Spain. While the timber is very valuable, the cost of cutting and getting out the logs with the help of oxen, precludes any possibility of profit and will insure their remaining untouched until less expensive methods are found for their removal to the coast. The price of these lands vary at the present time from $3 to $15 per acre, and they can be purchased only in large tracts.

In passing it may be mentioned that many of the forest lands of the mountainous districts are located within the mineral zones of the Island, but the purchase of the property does not carry with it a right to the ore deposits that may lie below the surface. These can be acquired only through registering mineral claims or “denouncements” in accordance with the laws of the Republic.

Along the southern coast of Cuba, bordering on the Caribbean, especially in the Province of Camaguey, are still large areas of virgin forests growing on low, flat lands. Some of these are traversed by streams, down which the logs are rafted during the rainy season.

Quite a large area of forest is still retained by the Government. The sale of these lands is forbidden by law, although under certain conditions they may be rented to private parties. Some of them have been distributed among the veterans of the War of Independence.

The total amount of forest still retained by the Republic is estimated at 37,000 caballeries or 1,226,450 acres, of which 519,144 acres are located in the Province of Oriente; 307,910 in Santa Clara; 148,200 in Pinar del Rio; 113,620 in Matanzas; 88,130 in Camaguey and 49,400 in the Province of Havana.