Toona sureni aka Red Cedar

Toona sureni, or suren, belongs to the mahogany family, Meliaceae. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves. Its native range runs from south-central China through tropical Asia. This takes in parts of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It also includes Papua New Guinea. It grows in forests, ravines, and on open slopes. It grows more often in secondary than primary forest.

This tree grows fast and has a broad, spreading crown. It needs room to grow. Garden sources give its height and spread as 115 feet [35 m]. Forest accounts note heights of 131 feet [40 m]. Rare trees reach 197 feet [60 m]. The trunk may lack branches for 82 feet [25 m]. Buttresses can reach 7 feet [2 m] high. The bark is pale brown to grey-brown. It flakes and has a fibrous feel. Cut bark gives off a pleasant scent. Large leaves grow in spirals, often near branch tips. They are pinnate, with leaflets along a central stalk. Small flowers smell sweet and hang in branched groups. These grow at the shoot ends. The fruits form brown capsules with a leathery feel.

Suren suits hot, moist climates and rich, moist soil. Water must drain well from the soil. Trees can cope with some drought once they take root. It accepts acid to alkaline soils, including loam and clay. Young trees need shelter from direct sun. They need more light as they grow. Mature trees need a sunny site. PFAF lists USDA zones 9–12. Fresh seed sprouts with ease, with no treatment before sowing. Seed loses its power to sprout within two to three months. Growers can also grow plants from stem cuttings.

People plant suren in gardens and along streets. They also plant it to restore habitats. Tea growers use it as a windbreak. Its valued timber supports a trade in the wood. The heartwood ranges from light red to brown. Fresh-cut wood smells sweet and is easy to saw. People use bark fibres to make string bags. Flowers yield red and yellow dyes. Bark and fruit supply essential oils. Extracts from bark, heartwood, and leaves show insect-killing effects. Dry-wood termites and borers can harm the timber.

People eat the young shoots after cooking. Local medicine uses bark and other parts to treat diarrhoea and related complaints. These uses do not prove that treatments work or establish safe doses. Wood dust can irritate the skin and airways. It can cause dermatitis or bronchitis. Useful Tropical Plants reports the global IUCN status as Least Concern. This status dates from an assessment in 2018.