Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium to coarse texture; this sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral pattern with visible transitional knots and some irregular wavy grain around the knot inclusions.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light pinkish red to a deep reddish brown. Sapwood is a distinct narrow band of pale yellowish-white. It exhibits low to medium luster and will weather to a silver-grey patina if left unfinished outdoors.
Hardness Rating
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding rot resistance; contains natural thujaplicins which inhibit fungal growth. Moderate resistance to insect attack, though less resistant than Redwood.
Common Uses
Outdoor structures, decking, siding/cladding, shingles, fencing, boat building (canoes), and interior sauna paneling.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America (extending from Southern Alaska to Northern California and inland to the Rockies).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $8.00 per board foot depending on grade (Clear Heart vs. STK/Select Tight Knot).
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or recently surfaced; the bright pink/red hues and white sapwood edge suggests minimal UV exposure and oxidation, likely less than 1 year since the last surfacing.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available with FSC certification; considered a sustainable choice due to high abundance and managed growth in North America.
Workability
Excellent with both hand and machine tools; it is very easy to plane and sand. However, it is prone to splintering and crushing due to its softness. Sharp tools are required to prevent fuzzy surfaces.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic 'cedar' scent; very lightweight with excellent dimensional stability and low shrinkage; dust can occasionally cause respiratory irritation or allergic reactions.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for penetrating oils or transparent stains to maintain breathability; can be film-finished with lacquer for interior use, but requires caution with 'tannin bleed' on light-colored paints.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the sharp contrast between white sapwood and reddish-brown heartwood, the specific knot structure, and the characteristic straight softwood tracheid texture is diagnostic of Western Red Cedar.