Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium to coarse texture; vertical grain orientation (vertical grain/quarter-sawn) shown in the sample with very tight growth rings.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a reddish to pinkish brown, often with random streaks and bands of darker red/brown. Sapwood is a pale yellowish white. It tends to lose its reddish hue and weather to a uniform silver-grey when exposed to UV light without a finish.
Hardness Rating
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; excellent resistance to decay and rot due to high extractive content; moderate resistance to insect attack.
Common Uses
Exterior siding, decking, shingles, outdoor furniture, boat building, fence posts, and greenhouse construction.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America (from Southern Alaska to Northern California).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot for clear vertical grain (CVG) grade.
Wood Age Estimate
The tight growth rings suggest old-growth timber; the sample shows surface oxidation and minor edge wear consistent with a piece that has been harvested and stored for 5-10 years.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available with FSC certification; not listed on CITES appendices.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; exceptionally easy to plane and sand. However, it is very soft and prone to bruising or denting. It holds glue and finishes well but has poor nail-holding capacity.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic 'pencil-like' scent; very lightweight with excellent dimensional stability; contains high levels of thujaplicins which act as natural fungicides.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oil-based stains or clear sealers are best for exterior use; film-forming finishes like polyurethane may crack due to the wood's natural expansion/contraction cycle.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the reddish-brown hue, extremely tight vertical growth rings, and characteristic softwood texture is diagnostic for high-grade Western Red Cedar.