Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight but often interrupted by numerous small knots; texture is fine and even with a cathedral grain visible on flat-sawn surfaces.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a reddish or violet-brown; sapwood is a pale yellow to white. It maintains a high luster but heartwood tends to turn more brownish-red with age and exposure to light.
Hardness Rating
900 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to rot and excels at repelling insects due to its natural aromatic oils.
Common Uses
Fence posts, closet liners, chests, outdoor furniture, birdhouses, pencils, and specialty turned wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.50 - $6.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively young piece based on branch circumference, likely 5-10 years based on growth ring density visible on the rough cut.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern; abundant and sustainably harvested across stable populations. Not CITES or IUCN listed.
Workability
Very easy to work with both hand and machine tools; however, the numerous knots can cause some tearout. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic scent; natural oils are an insect repellent; very stable wood with low shrinkage rates.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer to seal in the scent and color; if used for moth-repelling properties, the wood should be left unfinished and sanded periodically.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive fibrous/peeling reddish bark combined with the purplish-red heartwood and pale sapwood is characteristic of Eastern Red Cedar.