Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana • Softwood (gymnosperm/conifer)
Grain Pattern
Straight but often interrupted by knots; distinct growth rings are visible on the end grain with a fine, even texture.
Color Description
Reddish-pink to violet-brown heartwood with wide, creamy-white sapwood. Colors tend to darken or brown slightly with exposure to UV and oxygen.
Hardness Rating
900 lbf (Medium); technically a softwood but harder than many other conifers.
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellently resistant to rot and insect attack, particularly termites.
Common Uses
Fence posts, closet liners, chests, outdoor furniture, siding, and ornamental wood turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $6.00 per board foot for raw lumber; log slabs of this size are often sold as decorative items for $150 - $400 depending on region.
Wood Age Estimate
The log appears freshly debarked and cut with some drying checks (cracks) visible, likely cut within the last 1 to 3 years.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern; abundant and widely available, not listed on CITES appendices.
Workability
Very easy to work with hand and machine tools, though knots can be brittle and prone to chipping. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Very strong, aromatic cedar scent; contains natural oils that repel insects; high tannin content; relatively lightweight.
Finish Recommendations
Clear oil-based finishes or polyurethane are recommended to highlight the pink hues; avoid heavy stains which mask the natural contrast between sapwood and heartwood.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinct 'bullseye' contrast between the reddish heartwood and the white sapwood combined with the bark texture and presence of pith knots is diagnostic for Juniperus virginiana.