Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a fine to medium texture; flat-sawn displaying subtle cathedral patterns and distinct growth ring transitions.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from reddish-brown to pinkish; sapwood is pale yellowish-white. It exhibits a dull luster and tends to darken to a deeper silvery-grey when exposed to UV light without treatment.
Hardness Rating
350 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Durable; excellent natural resistance to rot and decay, though susceptible to insect attack if not treated.
Common Uses
Outdoor siding, decking, shingles, fence posts, greenhouse construction, boat building, and saunas.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America (from Alaska to California and inland to Montana).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on grade (Clear Heart vs. Knotty).
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh milled stock; approximately 1-3 years old based on the lack of silvering and sharp, unweathered edges.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed; FSC certification is common.
Workability
Excellent with hand and machine tools; however, it is very prone to denting and scratching due to softness. Brittle fibers can cause splintering during cross-cutting.
Notable Features
Distinctive aromatic scent; contains thujaplicins (natural preservatives); very lightweight with high dimensional stability; dust can be a respiratory irritant.
Finish Recommendations
Best treated with oil-based stains or transparent sealers to preserve color; film-forming finishes like polyurethane may crack due to the wood's natural expansion/contraction.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic reddish-brown heartwood against pale sapwood, stringy bark texture on the edge, and distinct softwood earlywood/latewood bands are diagnostic for Thuja plicata.