alerce

American  

[uh-ler-suh] / əˈlɛr sə /

noun

1. the wood of the sandarac tree.

2. a Chilean evergreen tree, Fitzroya cupressoides, having furrowed, reddish bark and overlapping leaves.

3. Chilean cedar.

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alerce British  

/ æˈlɜːsɪ, əˈlɜːs /

noun

1. the wood of the sandarac tree

2. a cupressus-like Chilean pine, Fitzroya cupressoides, cut for timber

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Etymology

Origin of alerce

First recorded in 1770–80; from Spanish, an extended meaning of alerce “European larch” (Larix decidua), influenced by Arabic al-ʾarz “the cypress, larch”; larch ( def. )

Example Sentences

Known as Hacienda Pucheguin, the property is surrounded by national parks and is cut by wild rivers, forests of ancient Alerce trees and the Cochamó Valley, a cathedral of towering granite walls popular with rock climbers around the world.

From New York Times

During his travels, Darwin explored the island of Chiloé where he observed houses made of alerce, also known as Fitzroya cupressoides.

From Salon

Such “extractivist” approaches haven’t served Chile well over time, however — so says Carlos Leiva, director of the non-governmental organization Andean Alerce.

From Salon

Though logging alerce has been outlawed, illegal deforestation has continued to plague Chiloé, while native forest has been replaced by tree plantations.

From Salon

The blaze broke out on Thursday at Los Alerces national park, a Unesco World Heritage site in northern Patagonia, which is home to huge alerce trees.

From BBC