Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Primarily straight grain with occasional wavy patterns or small knots; flat-sawn displaying subtle cathedral patterns.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light pinkish-red to deep reddish-brown; sapwood is pale yellowish-white. Tends to weather to a silver-grey if exposed to UV outdoors without finish.
Hardness Rating
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot, termites, and decay due to naturally occurring thujaplicins.
Common Uses
Fencing, decking, siding, shingles, outdoor furniture, boat building, and saunas.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America (from Alaska to Northern California).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade (Clear Heart vs. STK/Select Tight Knot).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely 1-5 years post-processing based on lack of heavy silvering and fresh mill marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES or IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification and considered highly sustainable due to managed growth.
Workability
Very easy to work with hand and machine tools; however, it is brittle and prone to splintering or fuzzing if tools are dull. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic cedar scent; contains high tannin content which can cause iron staining/bleeding if steel fasteners are used.
Finish Recommendations
Transparent or semi-transparent stains for outdoor use; oil-based finishes enhance color. Use stainless steel fasteners to prevent black streaks.
Identification Confidence
High. The reddish-tan hue, prominent latewood lines, presence of small sound knots, and general texture are classic indicators of Thuja plicata.