Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight and even grain with a coarse texture. This specific sample is rough-sawn (flat-sawn) showing a slight cathedral figure toward the center and prominent vertical growth rings elsewhere.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light pinkish-red to a deeper brownish-red; sapwood is pale yellowish-white. It tends to weather to a uniform silver-grey when exposed to sunlight and rain without a finish.
Hardness Rating
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; contains natural thujaplicins that make it highly resistant to rot, decay, and insect attack. Ideal for exterior use.
Common Uses
Outdoor siding, decking, fencing, shingles, greenhouse construction, boat building (canoes/kayaks), and soundboards for acoustic guitars.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America (from Alaska to Northern California and inland to Montana/British Columbia).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade (Clear Heart vs. STK/Select Tight Knot).
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively young lumber (within 1-3 years of milling). The fibers are still vibrant with no significant silvering or deep oxidation, though it shows surface fuzziness typical of green or air-dried rough-sawn lumber.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and harvested from sustainably managed forests. Commonly FSC certified.
Workability
Very easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though very prone to bruising/denting due to softness. Brittle fibers can lead to splintering on the exit side of cuts; gluing and finishing are generally excellent.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic scent (cedar-chest smell); high tannin content can cause blue-black staining if it comes into contact with iron/steel fasteners when wet.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or semi-transparent stains are best specifically for outdoor use across large surfaces. If used indoors, clear coat polyurethanes or lacquers work well if the surface is sanded smooth.
Identification Confidence
High. The combination of reddish-tan hue, prominent latewood lines, coarse rough-sawn texture, and visible vertical grain orientation is diagnostic for Western Red Cedar dimensional lumber.