Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse texture; typically flat-sawn in these types of thin slats, showing prominent vertical growth rings.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from pinkish-red to a deep reddish-brown. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. It silvers/greys significantly with UV exposure as seen in the weathered samples.
Hardness Rating
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; contains natural thujaplicins that provide high resistance to decay, rot, and insect attack.
Common Uses
Siding, decking, fencing, shingles, outdoor furniture, saunas, and boat building.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America (from Alaska to Northern California).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $8.00 per board foot depending on grade (Clear Heart vs. Common).
Wood Age Estimate
40-60 years based on the heavy silver/grey oxidation and brittle splintering consistent with long-term exposure to elements.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN), widely available as FSC certified; considered very sustainable due to long life in outdoor use.
Workability
Very easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It is prone to denting and splintering because of its softness and brittleness when old.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic scent; very lightweight; low shrinkage and high dimensional stability; contains high tannin levels which can cause black staining in contact with iron.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oil-based stains are best for preserving color; can be left unfinished to weather to a silver-grey; avoid film-forming finishes like thick polyurethanes which may peel.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the reddish-brown heartwood, the specific brittle splintering pattern, and the characteristic grey weathered patina is diagnostic for aged Red Cedar.