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Where can the western red cedar be found?

By Emily Wong

Where can the western red cedar be found?

Western red cedar, (Thuja plicata), also called western arborvitae, giant arborvitae, or Pacific red cedar, an ornamental and timber evergreenconifer of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), native to the Pacific coast of North America.

How much is a Western red cedar worth?

It typically sells for $5 per board foot. Cedar wood that may exhibit a few minor characteristics which do not detract from their high appearance and quality such as a very light torn grain, very light skips on the non-graded face and very light warp are sold for half the price.

What are the properties of western red cedar?

Cedar, Western Red (British)

  • Wood Type: Softwood.
  • Durability: Moderately durable.
  • Treatability: Extremely difficult, Difficult (Sapwood)
  • Moisture Movement: Small.
  • Abrasions: Medium.
  • Density (mean, Kg/m³): 390.
  • Texture: Coarse.
  • Availability: Available at specialist timber merchant.

What is the difference between Western red cedar and eastern red cedar?

The Eastern Red Cedar is much shorter overall than the Western Red Cedar, typically being between 16 to 66 feet tall (5 to 20 m) with a trunk between 12 to 39 inches (30 to 100 cm) in diameter. The Western Red Cedar is also quite long-lived, with some members of the species living more than 900 years.

What is the lifespan of a western red cedar?

1,500 years
Western Redcedar is immortal! These trees have been known to live over 1,500 years.

How long does western red cedar last?

Average Life of a Cedar Fence Fences made of untreated cedar can last between 15 and 30 years, depending on how well you care for it and the specific cedar species used. If it’s treated, a cedar fence may last up to 40 years. Cedar consistently outlasts other wood species.

How durable is Western Red Cedar?

Slow growing and naturally durable, Western Red Cedar has one of the longest life spans of any North American softwood. It produces long lengths of timber with true, straight grain. It is free from pitch and its heartwood has natural decay resistance.

Which lasts longer white cedar or red cedar?

The main differences between white cedar and red cedar are in terms of durability and strength. White cedar fencing lasts longer than red cedar fencing. In most cases, white cedar fences can last for a good 10 years or more. The natural oils of white cedar fences are stronger than red cedar fences’ oil.

Is red cedar weather resistant?

Due to its chemical properties, cedar is naturally weather-resistant and repels most bugs. Cedar accepts sealers and stains beautifully and should be refinished every two to three years. If you plan to keep your cedar’s natural color, note that cedar can darken dramatically when exposed to sunlight.

Why is western red cedar so expensive?

You may have been surprised by the recent and/or impending price increases on Western Red Cedar lately. This has been caused by a large trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. that has been going on since the 80’s on all softwoods imported from Canada.

Is the western red cedar a true cedar?

The western red cedar is not a cedar at all, it is in a category of false cedars. False cedars is the label given to trees that plant finders and explorers incorrectly called cedar because of their aromatic bark. Many of the false cedars aren’t biologically related to each other.

Where can you find Cedar in the world?

These are the natural locations of the different species of cedar, but not the only places they can be found. In fact, the cultivation of cedars around the world has been very successful. Cedars can now be found around the entire Mediterranean region, western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

Where can I find a red cedar tree?

The western red cedar is amongst the most widely spread trees in the Pacific northwest of America and has been naturalized in Britain. We can find the tree growing anywhere from sea level to a maximum of 2,290m (7510ft). Besides growing in lush forests, it can be found in swamps to mountain sides.

Is the inland red cedar the same as the Wester red cedar?

Inland Red Cedar is the same wood species as Wester Red Cedar, but because of the different growing conditions in the inland mountains of Idaho and Montana, Inland Red Cedar trees show differences in the wood grain, wood coloration, and smaller tree height.

What can you do with western red cedar?

Western Red Cedar is used to manufacture a range of specialty products such as siding, paneling, structural decking and outdoor decking. Detailed product information is available from the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.

What’s the Flame Spread Rating for western red cedar?

This usually includes interior wall and ceiling finishes, flooring, windows, doors and other wood products. US codes set the maximum flame spread rating for interior wall and ceiling finishes in most buildings at 200. The flame spread rating for Western Red Cedar is 45 (Class B rating).

Is the western red cedar repellent to insects?

As a matter of fact, this species is naturally repellent to insects due to its strong odour and, therefore, has a strong resistance to insect infestation. The USDA documentation states that Western Red Cedar “is not immune to attack by termites and furniture beetles” and cites the work of “Henderson, F.Y. 1977.