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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Corrosive Properties Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Thuja plicata Trade Name Western redcedar Family Name Cupressaceae Common Names Arborvitae, British Columbia cedar, British Columbia red cedar, Canoe cedar, Giant arbor-vitae, Giant arborvitae, Giant cedar, Gigantic cedar, Pacific red cedar, Pacific redcedar, Red cedar, Shinglewood, Western arborvitae, Western cedar, Western red cedar, Western redcedar Regions of Distribution North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, United States Common Uses Beehives, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Canoes, Caskets, Casks, Coffins, Decks, Decorative veneer, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Figured veneer, Foundation posts, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Lifeboats, Light construction, Millwork, Packing cases, Paneling, Piling, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Siding, Stakes, Utility poles, Vats, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Widespread May be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery Globally secure Data source is Nature Conservancy Abundant Distribution Overview Western redcedar occurs in Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington. It forms widespread forests with Western hemlock, and also with other conifers. It prefers moist, slightly acid soils. Western redcedar is also cultivated (from seedlings in nurseries) as a source of timber in Britain and France. Heartwood Color Brown Red Pink Green/grey Reddish brown Pale red to pink Brown Dark brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Greenish to greyish Red Pink Dark chocolate Black The color ages to reddish brown and eventually to silver gray. The wood is much sought after for its 'weathered' appearance Sapwood Color Red Brown White to yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood Narrow Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Sapwood width is seldom greater than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in mature trees Grain Straight Figure Growth rings (figure) Even Distinct (figure) Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Distinct figure Even Texture Medium Coarse Coarse Medium coarse to coarse Luster Medium Natural Durability Non-durable Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-resistant to termites Moderately durable Resistant to powder post beetles Durable Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Heartwood has high natural resistance to decay Good weathering characteristics The wood has very good weathering characteristics, which makes it a very popular timber for exterior applications. Western redcedar has very high natural resistance to decay because of large amounts of extractives. It performs very well in contact with the ground, under most climates, without any kind of preservative treatment. The mild winters in the British Isle are an exception, since they tend to promote decay. Seasoned Western redcedar wood is also susceptible to attack by the common furniture beetle. Odor Has a characteristic cedary smell and a faint bitter taste Light-Induced Color Change Lighter Darker Corrosive Properties Reacts with metals Toxicity Sawdust can cause skin irritation in some individuals Sawdust can cause nose irritation in some individuals Respiratory effects Poisonous Dermatitic effects Prolonged exposure to dust from machining operations is reported to cause skin and nose irritation in some individuals. Kiln Schedules Dry at a moderate speed UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 Schedule J (4/4) United Kingdom Light T10 - B5 (4/4);T10 - B3 (8/4) US Heavy T5 - F4 (4/4); T5 - F3 (8/4) US Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Checking Distortion Slight collapse and honeycomb Drying defects that may occur in this species (heavy Western cedar) include uneven moisture content, chemical brown stains, iron stains, honeycomb, water pockets and collapse. These defects are commonly associated with the presence of wetwood (sinker stock). Red cedar is highly favored for riving shingles and shims since its straight grain allows it to be split easily and predictably. Splitting Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Variable Easy Variable results. Thinner stock dries without difficulty and with minimum degrade, but thicker stock tends to be more difficult to dry. Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is unknown Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m The tree is described as often large to very large, producing a tapering trunk that is buttressed at the base. It produces a clear bole that is usually free from side branches for many feet up, which means the outer layers of the tree are knot free and clear. This feature is reported to make Western redcedar timber especially suitable for high-class joinery and woodwork Product Sources Although Western redcedar is still available at moderate to low prices, it is believed to be on its way to becoming scarce. Current demands are far greater than the time required for the tree to regenarate. Comments Corrosive Properties General finishing qualities are rated as good The wood is acidic and may cause metals, such as iron to corrode. Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight dulling effect on cutting tools Boring Fair to good results Responds well to boring operations Carving Fair to Good Results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Low resistance to sawing Wood has a tendency to fray during cross-cutting Gluing Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Excellent gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Finishes well Easy to mortise Very good mortising characteristics Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mould Very good moulding properties Good finishing results Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Small Stable Stable when seasoned Holds shape well after manufacture Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Holds nails well Easy to nail Holds satisfactorily Good resistance to splitting while nailing Planing Fair to Good Results Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Ease of planing is moderate Excellent planing properties Western Red Cedar is a very popular timber and is considered to be one of the major lumber species in the United States and Canada. Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Resistant heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Difficult to treat with preservatives Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Responds well to hand tools Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing yields good results Satisfactory screwing finish Good screw holding properties Excellent screwing properties Easy to screw Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Easy to turn Very good Veneering Qualities Diifficult to veneer There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Poor Painting Good results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally good Reacts with Iron to discolour wood Stains well Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low