Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a fine, even texture. This sample is flat-sawn and characterized by numerous small, tight knots (bird's eye-like knots) throughout the board.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically reddish or pinkish-brown, often with streaks of violet. Sapwood is a pale yellow to white. This sample shows the lighter sapwood tones and will darken to more of a silvery-grey if unfinished and exposed to UV, or a deeper reddish-brown if finished.
Hardness Rating
900 lbf (Medium); technically a softwood but harder than many other conifers.
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to rot and fungal decay; highly resistant to insect attack, especially moths, due to high aromatic oil content.
Common Uses
Closet linings, chests, fence posts, pencils, birdhouses, outdoor furniture, and small specialty wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, ranging from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $7.00 per board foot depending on grade and knot density.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern/Recently milled. The lack of heavy oxidation or grey patina suggests a relatively young sample or one that has been recently planed/sanded.
Sustainability Status
Abundant and sustainable; listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Not CITES listed and widely available.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes well but knots can cause some tearout. Glues and finishes well, though the natural oils can occasionally slow the drying of some oil-based finishes.
Notable Features
Distinctive, pungent, and pleasant cedar scent. Very lightweight and stable with low shrinkage. The wood oils act as a natural insect repellent.
Finish Recommendations
Often left unfinished in closets to preserve scent. For furniture, a clear shellac or water-based polyurethane is recommended to maintain the reddish hues without reacting to the natural oils.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinctive pattern of small tight knots, the creamy sapwood color against light reddish hues, and the fine texture are classic indicators of Juniperus virginiana.