Atlas Cedar for Custom Wood and Epoxy Tabletops
Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is a European and North African conifer known for its distinct fragrance, clean grain, and reliable durability. When planning an epoxy river table or solid wood-and-resin tabletop, builders must understand how a species behaves when cured beside rigid polymer resin. The technical data below is drawn directly from the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet on Atlas Cedar to help woodworkers assess its structural behavior, machining qualities, and dimensional movement.
What does Atlas Cedar look like in a finished tabletop?
Atlas Cedar features heartwood that ranges from yellow brown to reddish brown, contrasted against clearly demarcated sapwood that measures between 4 and 10 cm thick. The wood exhibits a medium texture and a straight grain, with interlocked grain completely absent. When quartersawn, a thin brown silver figure is visible to the naked eye. In the shop, builders will notice small, very hard knots throughout the timber, as well as a strong, characteristic cedar odour that lasts long after milling.
How heavy and hard is Atlas Cedar?
Atlas Cedar is a moderate-density wood with an average specific gravity of 0.51 at 12% moisture content. In practical shop terms, this corresponds to a density of about 31.8 lb/ft³, meaning a 2-inch-thick tabletop slab weighs approximately 5.3 lb per square foot. This modest weight keeps large river tables manageable to transport and mount to steel bases.
Its surface hardness is rated at 2.4 on the Monnin hardness scale at 12% moisture content. The Monnin scale is a French standard where higher numbers indicate harder wood (it is not a Janka value and cannot be directly converted). At 2.4, Atlas Cedar falls on the softer side compared to heavy commercial hardwoods, making it comfortable to work while requiring thoughtful protection against localized dings in high-traffic tabletop environments.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Cedrus atlantica | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Yellow brown; texture medium; grain straight; interlocked grain absent | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.51 | about 31.8 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 5.3 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 2.4 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 6.0 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 4.1 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.5 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.37 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 28 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.18 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 42 MPa | about 6,090 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 82 MPa | about 11,890 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 10,100 MPa | about 1,465,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 1-2 – very durable to durable | |
| Termite resistance | Class M – moderately durable | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 3 – poorly permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 3 – not in ground contact, outside | |
| Drying | rate rapid; distortion: high risk; checking: no risk or very slight risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 55–65 °C | about 131–149 °F |
| Machining | blunting normal; saw teeth: stellite-tipped; cutting tools: tungsten carbide | |
| Nailing and screwing | Good but pre-boring necessary | |
| CITES status | This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). Notes. ATLAS CEDAR comes from North Africa and was introduced in France in the middle of the 19th century. It is used for reaforestation in whole southern Europe. |
Values from the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet (average values for mature wood, 12% moisture content where noted). US-unit conversions are calculated by BigEpoxy (1 MPa = 145.04 psi; density = specific gravity × 62.43 lb/ft³).
How does Atlas Cedar behave next to epoxy resin?
The primary concern in any wood-and-epoxy assembly is differential movement across moisture cycles. Atlas Cedar exhibits a total tangential shrinkage (St) of 6.0% and a total radial shrinkage (Sr) of 4.1% from green to oven-dry conditions. This produces an St/Sr shrinkage ratio of 1.5. A ratio close to 1 indicates a low tendency toward cupping or warping across wide boards.
Its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.37% per 1% change in moisture content, with a fiber saturation point of 28%. When properly dried to internal equilibrium moisture levels, its low-to-moderate shrinkage helps minimize shear stress along the epoxy bond line, reducing the risk of edge separation along a poured river channel.
What drying defects should builders watch for with Atlas Cedar?
Atlas Cedar dries at a rapid rate, but it requires careful control. CIRAD data indicates a high risk of distortion during seasoning. In contrast, checking carries no risk or very slight risk, and there is no known specific risk of collapse or casehardening. Standard industrial kiln drying programs run at temperatures between 55 °C and 65 °C (about 131 °F to 149 °F). Because distortion risks are elevated, slabs should be carefully stickered, weighted, and thoroughly stabilized before flattening and pouring epoxy.
How does Atlas Cedar machine, fasten, and handle in the shop?
Atlas Cedar presents a normal blunting effect on cutting edges. CIRAD recommends stellite-tipped sawteeth and tungsten carbide cutting tools to handle the timber cleanly, particularly around the small, very hard knots common in the boards. It is rated as easy to turn, and it performs well for peeling and slicing. When mounting table bases or adding structural aprons, nailing and screwing properties are good, though pre-boring is strictly necessary to avoid splitting.
How durable is Atlas Cedar against moisture and rot?
The heartwood of Atlas Cedar possesses excellent natural resistance. It is rated in Durability Class 1–2 (very durable to durable) against xylophagous fungi and Class D (durable) against dry-wood borers, with borer risks limited strictly to the sapwood. Resistance to termites is Class M (moderately durable). The heartwood treatability is Class 3 (poorly permeable), and its natural durability qualifies it for Use Class 3 (exterior use without ground contact, without requiring preservative treatments for temporary wetting). However, Use Class 3 ratings apply solely to sapwood-free heartwood.
What are the recognized end-uses and CITES status of Atlas Cedar?
Atlas Cedar is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). Originally native to North Africa and introduced to France in the mid-19th century, it is widely planted for reforestation across southern Europe. Recognized end-uses in the CIRAD Tropix sheet include cabinetwork (high-class furniture), interior joinery, exterior joinery, exterior panelling, sliced veneer, turned goods, heavy carpentry, wood framing, and wood-ware. Its blend of low density and high durability makes it an attractive structural candidate for fine furniture and custom resin tabletops alike.
Sources
Published October 30, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: If you are building a live-edge epoxy table that retains Atlas Cedar’s sapwood (which runs 4 to 10 cm wide), remember that CIRAD notes Use Class 3 durability applies only to heartwood components; sapwood remains vulnerable to dry-wood borers and rot if exposed to persistent dampness. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Atlas Cedar.)