Eastern Red Cedar (Juniper / Aromatic Cedar)
Juniperus virginiana · Softwood
- Type
- Softwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America.
- Hardness
- 900 lbf (Medium - Softwood)
- Durability
- Very Durable (Heartwood is highly resistant to decay, rot, and insect attacks/moths).
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Grain Pattern
Generally straight grain with characteristic tight growth rings, wild swirling grain around large tight knots, inclusion pockets, and live-edge natural waviness.
Color & Appearance
Pale creamy yellow to off-white sapwood contrasting with reddish-pink to light brownish-purple heartwood accents. Dark brown to reddish tight knots with prominent sapwood border zones.
Hardness (Janka)
900 lbf (Medium - Softwood)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable (Heartwood is highly resistant to decay, rot, and insect attacks/moths).
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot for wide, live-edge slab stock.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled live-edge slab (less than 2 years old), freshly rough-sawn with minimal light exposure or oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List). Abundant and sustainably harvested, highly invasive in some regional ecosystems.
Common Uses
Live-edge slabs, rustic furniture, closet linings, hope chests, outdoor furniture, carving, posts, and fence pickets.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America.
Workability
Easy to work with hand and power tools, though knots can cause dulling or tearout. Glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oil finishes (such as Tung oil or Danish oil), clear polyurethanes, or left unsealed/raw inside closets to retain aromatic scent.
Notable Features
Pungent aromatic pine/cedar fragrance, natural moth-repellent properties, sharp contrast between heartwood and sapwood, frequent tight knotting and void inclusions.
