Atlantic White Cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a fine, uniform texture. The sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral pattern with distinct but narrow earlywood/latewood transitions.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light reddish-brown to pale tan, while sapwood is a narrow band of nearly white to pale yellow. It typically darkens slightly to a silver-grey or deeper brown when exposed to sunlight and weather.
Hardness Rating
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Exceptional resistance to rot and decay, though it has moderate resistance to insect attack.
Common Uses
Boat building (planking), shingles, siding, fence posts, outdoor furniture, duck decoys, and interior paneling.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States, specifically the Atlantic coastal plain from Maine to Florida and west to Mississippi.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and location.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled/Recent; the wood shows bright color without significant graying, and the presence of fresh sawdust suggests it has just been worked.
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though wetland habitat loss is a localized concern in some states.
Workability
Excellent ease of work with both hand and machine tools. It planes and sands very easily, though its softness makes it prone to denting and crushing if handled roughly.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic, cedar-like scent when freshly cut. It is exceptionally lightweight and has very low shrinkage rates, providing high dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for clear penetrating oils or exterior stains to preserve natural rot resistance. If used indoors, shellac or light polyurethanes work well, though the wood's acidity can occasionally affect some oil-based finishes.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the light tan-red color, the fine-textured softwood cathedral grain, the uniform appearance, and the fibrous nature of the surface shavings are classic indicators of Atlantic White Cedar.