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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
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
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
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
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Trade Name
Port Orford cedar

Family Name
Cupressaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
FALSE cypress, Ginuer pine, Lawson cypress, Lawson false cypress, Lawson's cypress, Oregon cedar, Port Orford cedar, Port Orford white cedar, White cedar

Regions of Distribution
North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
New Zealand, United States

Common Uses
Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chests, Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Factory construction, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Lifeboats, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments: piano, Oars, Piling, Plaques, Plywood: veneer (marine), Porch columns, Posts, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Toys, Vats

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Widespread
Rare within its natural habitat
Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk)
Likely rare at the periphery of its range
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Apparently secure globally
Abundant


Distribution Overview
Port-Orford-cedar has a very limited distribution, occurring near the Pacific Ocean in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. The northern limit of its distribution is near Coos Bay, Oregon. The species' range extends southward about 220 miles (350 km) to the central portion of the Mad River drainage in Humbolt County, California. Isolated populations occur near Mount Shasta and the Trinity Mountains in northern California. It occurs in greatest abundance within about 40 miles of the coast. Farther inland, its distribution is spotty, and it is mostly limited to sites with abundant soil moisture and/or atmospheric moisture. Port-Orford-cedar is cultivated in Hawaii, New Zealand and Europe.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Yellow
White
Red
Pink
Orange
Pale brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
White to cream
Pale red to pink
Yellowish tan
Pinkish brown
Pale - yellow


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Same as heartwood
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Color not distinct from heartwood


Grain
Straight
Even
Figure
Growth rings (figure)
Weak (figure)

Straight
Weak figure
Even
Clear growth rings (figure)


Texture
Fine
Medium
Fine
Medium to coarse
Fair to medium coarse
Coarse


Luster
Low
Lustrous


Natural Growth Defects
Gum/resin exudation


Natural Durability
Non-durable
Durable
Perishable
Resistant to termites
Non-resistant to termites
Non-resistant to marine borers
Susceptible to insect attack
Durable
Very durable
Resistant to decay
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

This wood is reported to have found uses as storage battery separators because of its resistance to the corrosive properties of acids

Odor
The freshly cut wood has a pungent, ginger-like odor and a spicy, bitter taste

Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Dermatitic effects

Freshly-Milled Port-Orford cedar can give off an odor that can best be described as pungent and ginger-like. Prolonged inhalation of the smell has been associated with kidney complications in some people. Masks are usually worn as a protection against inhalation and the fine dust produced from sawmilling

Kiln Schedules
Dry at a moderate speed


Drying Defects
Checking
Distortion
Slight twist/warp


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Easy
Moderate
Dries readily with little degrade


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Bark width is 15-20 mm
Bole length is 20-30 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Bark width is 10-15 mm
Tree height is 30-40 m


Product Sources
The timber is over-harvested and the use of heavy-duty extracting equipment tends to spread a virus which kills the trees.

Supplies of Port Orford cedar are very limited, with stumpage prices of $3,000.00 per thousand board feet (1993 figures). It is sold mainly on the Japanese market. Some material culled from prime grade saw logs are available in limited quantities in areas where the tree grows.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Little
Blunting effect on machining is slight


Boring
Fairly easy to very easy
Fair to good results
Excellent (95+ pieces out of 100 will yield excellent results)


Carving
Fair to Good Results


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Excellent gluing properties


Mortising
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Moderately easy to mortise
Good mortising properties


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Moulding ease is moderate
Excellent moulding properties


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Stable


Nailing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Holds nails well
Easy to nail
Good nailing qualities


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Ease of planing is moderate


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable heartwood
Resistant heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Sapwood is permeable

The heartwood is fairly difficult to treat with liquids.

Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Moderate difficulty
Difficult to machine


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Sanding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Screwing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to screw
Screwing yields good results
Good screw holding properties
Excellent screwing properties


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Very good


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Veneers easily
Suitable for slicing
Veneers moderately easy
No drying degrade
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Moderately easy to veneer


Steam Bending
Very poor


Painting
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Good results
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Good results
Satisfactory results


Staining
Finish is generally good
Stains very well
Finish is generally satisfactory


Varnishing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Weight = medium
Toughness (total work) = medium
Toughness (total work) = low
Soft
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = mediun
Crushing strength = medium
Can be dented and marred easily
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength636411886psi
Crushing Strength294706psi
Density30lbs/ft3
Hardness546lbs
Impact Strength2125inches
Maximum Crushing Strength29325902psi
Shearing Strength1221psi
Stiffness111615921000 psi
Toughness208inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load68inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.370.4
Weight2929lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage6%
Volumetric Shrinkage10%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength447835kg/cm2
Crushing Strength2049kg/cm2
Density480kg/m3
Hardness247kg
Impact Strength5363cm
Maximum Crushing Strength206414kg/cm2
Shearing Strength85kg/cm2
Stiffness781111000 kg/cm2
Toughness239cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.420.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.370.4
Weight464464kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage6%

References
Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75

Bendsten, B.A.,1972,Important Structural Properties of Four Western Softwoods: White Pine,,Sugar Pine, Western Redcedar, Port-Orford Cedar,USDA Forest Service Research Paper FPL191

Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London

Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London

Dave Faison. Into the Woods. 1993. Personal Communication.

Flynn Jr., J.H. 1993. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana - Port-Orford-cedar. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 109-110.

Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO

Henley, J.,1973,American Woods - Port Orford Cedar,USDA, Forest Service American Woods FS-228

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479

Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. Textbook of Wood Technology. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1

Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center - Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

Western Wood Products Association. 19__. Softwoods of the Western USA. Published and Distributed by the Western Wood Products Association, Yeon Building, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon.









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