Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight with a fine, even texture; the sample exhibits a flat-sawn appearance with prominent knots and swirling grain around the branch intersection.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically reddish or violet-brown; sapwood is pale yellow to white. This sample shows a clear distinction between the creamy white sapwood near the live edge and the warm, reddish-pink heartwood.
Hardness Rating
900 lbf (Medium); it is among the hardest of softwoods despite its classification.
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay. Highly resistant to insect attack, especially moths, due to its aromatic oils.
Common Uses
Fence posts, closet liners, chests, small wooden specialties, outdoor furniture, birdhouses, and pencils.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, ranging from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $7.00 per board foot for live-edge kiln-dried slabs; lower for common construction grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh cut or recently planed; the lack of graying on the face and the brightness of the sapwood suggests the sample is less than 1-2 years old since processing.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not listed on CITES. Often considered an invasive species in some prairie regions.
Workability
Very easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes and sands well, though knots can be brittle and prone to breakout. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive, lingering aromatic scent; natural moth-repellent properties; contains high levels of natural oils; may cause respiratory irritation in some individuals.
Finish Recommendations
Often left unfinished in closets to maintain scent. For furniture, a clear polyurethane or lacquer is recommended to preserve the color; however, heartwood oils can occasionally bleed through some finishes.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the red/pink heartwood, bright white sapwood, thin rough bark, and characteristic knot structure is definitive for Juniperus virginiana.