Is Cedar hardwood or softwood?
No, Cedar is not a hardwood species. This iconic lumber breed, known for its versatility, spicy aroma, and beauty, is softwood. Furthermore, it belongs to the gymnosperms plant family, such as Fir and Pine trees. But this does not mean that cedar wood or other softwoods are lightweight.
How strong is red cedar wood?
Generally, cedar scores excellently in comprehensive strength, wood hardness, bonding strength, and density (air-dry). Here is Red Cedar’s score in various categories. Check out the comparison below featuring Cedarwood and other popular softwoods and hardwoods.
What is western red cedar?
Western red cedar (Thuja pilcata) also known as Pacific red cedar, giant arborvitae, giant cedar, or shinglewood is a cedar species that is native to western north America. Western red cedarwood is quite soft and therefore easy to work with in most cases. It has a very distinced red color and a unique fragrant.
What is Cedarwood lumber?
Cedarwood is lumber from a cedar tree. Further, the tree is an evergreen plant from central and south America. And it comes in at least thirty well-known species. But the trees are in three primary categories: Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, and Meliaceae. Cedar trees are easy to distinguish.
Why is cedarwood called softwood?
Where is red cedar native to?
How Strong is Cedar Wood?
What are the two types of wood strength?
Why is cedarwood used for outdoor projects?
What does hardness tell us?
Is cedar a hardwood or a softwood?
See 2 more
What is the difference between cedar and western red cedar?
The main differences between white cedar and red cedar are in terms of durability and strength. Red cedar is slightly stronger than white cedar fence. It's less prone to knotting. Knotting is a serious issue in fencing.
Is Western cedar a softwood?
One of the lightest commercial softwoods, Western Red Cedar at oven-dry conditions is approximately 21 pounds per cubic foot with a relative density (specific gravity) of 0.32. Cedar's low density enhances its insulation value and makes it an easy wood to transport and handle.
Is Western Red Cedar a good wood?
Western red cedar lumber is one of the strongest and most stable softwoods on the market. It doesn't twist, turn or bow nearly as much as other softwoods, making it great for building projects that require both stability and a level of precision. The reason for Western red cedar's strength lies in its core.
How hard is Western red cedar?
The western red cedar trees grow to 200 feet tall (50 to 60 meters) with average tree trunk of 7 to 13 feet in diameter (2 to 4 meters). Western red cedar wood has a . 31 or . 37 specific gravity (density) and approximately 350 lbs in Janka hardness.
Will Western Red Cedar rot?
Although western redcedar heartwood is considered to be highly resistant to decay, standing trees often have a high rate of decay defect. Phellinus weirii is the most common cause of heartrot in western redcedar in inland (non- coastal) forests.
What is Western Red Cedar wood used for?
Western red cedar is a popular ornamental and hedge tree in North America and Great Britain. The wood is used for shingles, posts, pilings, boat making, greenhouse fittings, and other purposes for which resistance to moisture and decay is more important than strength.
What are the disadvantages of cedar wood?
Disadvantages of Cedar Wood Decking:Cost- Just like composite, cedar can be much more expensive than other wood.Fades to a weathered grey over the years, which can be a drawback to some people.
Why is western red cedar so expensive?
Since it's resistant to decay, cedar is highly prized. It lasts longer, which makes it ideal for most people. Unfortunately, this also means that the price of it is higher. Its durability due to decay resistance and its increase in demand drives up the price of cedar.
Why is red cedar so desirable?
Durability and Strength With its low density and high proportion of air spaces, Western Red Cedar is the best thermal insulator among the commonly available softwood species and is far superior to brick, concrete, and steel.
Is cedar stronger than oak?
Mechanical Properties of Oak and Cedar Oak is harder than cedar, with a Janka hardness of 1350 (white oak) and 1220 (red oak) to Eastern red cedar's 900. Western red cedar's Janka hardness is a mere 350.
Which is stronger cedar or pine?
Is Cedar Stronger Than Pine? Cedar is weaker than Pine. Both Cedar and Pine softwoods have almost similar values in strength. When we look at the compressive strengths of Cedar and Pine, Aromatic Red Cedar is stronger than both Sugar Pine and White Pine, but weaker than Yellow Pine.
Is Western Red Cedar toxic?
Caution: Cedar contains strong volatile oils including thujone, a ketone that is known to be toxic in large quantities. Cedar should be used internally with care – the dosage is usually low and it is not used for long periods of time. It should not be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding or with kidney weakness.
What are the disadvantages of cedar wood?
Disadvantages of Cedar Wood Decking:Cost- Just like composite, cedar can be much more expensive than other wood.Fades to a weathered grey over the years, which can be a drawback to some people.
Is cedar wood harder than pine?
Hardness. Aromatic red cedar has a Janka rating (used to test the relative hardness of wood) of 900, while southern yellow pine is behind by a bit with a Janka rating of 690. So cedar is a little harder.
Is cedar good for cutting boards?
Cedar is not good for cutting boards because Cedar is too soft to use as a cutting board. Cut marks will be visible on Cedar very deep, and hard to clean. Also, cedar oil could be toxic as well. It's probably not a good idea to use cedar for cutting boards.
How strong is western cedar?
Western Red Cedar wood has a compressive strength of 4,560 psi and flexural strength of 3,300 psi which are significantly high and excellent to work as bench material.
What is the color of heartwood?
Color/Appearance: Heartwood reddish to pinkish brown, often with random streaks and bands of darker red/brown areas. Narrow sapwood is pale yellowish white, and isn’t always sharply demarcated from the heartwood. Grain/Texture: Has a straight grain and a medium to coarse texture.
Is red cedar rot resistant?
Rot Resistance: Western red cedar has been rated as durable to very durable in regard to decay resistance, though it has a mixed resistance to insect attack.
Is cedar a sensitizer?
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, western red cedar has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as runny nose, asthma-like symptoms, and nervous system effects. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
Pacific red cedar and Lawson cypress are two other common names for western red cedar. Informal names include canoe cedar and shingle wood. Early pioneers in the Pacific Northwest referred to the red cedar tree as arborvitae, “tree of life”. [1]
LATIN NAME
Western red cedar’s Latin name is Thuja plicata, which is loosely translated to mean “sweet smelling wood with plaited leaves”. [2]
CHARACTERISTICS - WESTERN RED CEDAR
Western red cedar’s heartwood varies from reddish to pinkish brown, with streaks of darker red and brown. The sapwood is a pale yellowish white. Red cedar wood has a distinct aroma when being worked, and is renowned for its decay resistance. [1]
MAIN USES - WESTERN RED CEDAR
Western red cedar is mainly used for shingles, lumber, poles, posts, and piles. The lumber is processed into exterior siding, decking, interior woodwork, and also for ship and boat building. [3]
HARDWOOD PROPERTIES - WESTERN RED CEDAR
Western red cedar is considered a softwood, measuring 350 on the Janka Hardness Scale. It has a straight grain and darkens considerably after staining. Fasteners containing iron can easily stain the wood. It can’t hold nails well due to its softness but glues very well. [1,2]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE - WESTERN RED CEDAR
Western red cedar grows mainly in the Pacific Northwest, in Oregon and Washington State. Its range extends north into Canada, up the coast of British Columbia to Alaska. It also grows south along the pacific coast into California and east into Montana and Idaho.
GLOSSARY
Impact Bending — In the impact bending test, a hammer of given weight is dropped upon a beam from successively increased heights until rupture occurs or the beam deflects 152 mm (6 in.) or more.
What is the most common cedar?
The most common type of commercially available cedar is western red cedar. Other types of cedar include: Incense cedar is famous for its heady aroma. It’s light brown with streaks of dark red and is a very durable, weather-resistant wood.
What is cedar wood used for?
It has warm red tones with creamy sapwood streaks and is prized as a natural wood finish for ceilings, walls and wainscoting. It’s not as strong as Douglas-fir, but cedar can be milled into structural members and often is specified for architectural designs that include exposed posts, beams and rafters.
What is gymnosperm lumber?
The common term for all gymnosperms is softwoods. But that doesn’t mean all softwoods are lightweights. The lumber of some species, such as Douglas-fir, is hard, strong and is used throughout the construction industry for framing and structural supports.
What is Port Orford cedar used for?
It cuts and shapes easily and is a favorite with furniture builders who use it for making sweetly scented drawers and clothes storage chests. The tight, non-splintering grain of incense cedar is also used to make pencils. Port Orford cedar is rare and not readily available.
Is cedar a hardwood?
No, cedar is not a hardwood. This iconic wood, known throughout the world for its beauty, versatility and spicy aroma, is a softwood. It belongs to a group of plants known as “gymnosperms,” which includes most conifers, such as pine and fir trees. The common term for all gymnosperms is softwoods. But that doesn’t mean all softwoods are lightweights.
Where does Alaskan yellow cedar grow?
Alaskan yellow cedar grows in Alaska and Canada. It’s a beautiful, straight-grain wood that’s a creamy yellow color. It’s strong and relatively hard for a cedar and is used where a combination of strength and weather-resistance is important, such as park benches, bleachers and marine construction.
Where does cedar grow?
It grows only in southern Oregon and northern California, and only small amounts are harvested from private lands. Accordingly, it’s very expensive. It has similar properties of other cedars, but its real charm is its amazing aroma — a spicy, lemony blend that’s unlike anything in the world of wood.
Why is cedarwood called softwood?
It is only called a softwood because it doesn´t flower. Cedarwood is actually quite strong. The strength of wood is measured with several different types of strength. We will take a look at the two most important types which is the compressive strength and the hardness of the wood.
Where is red cedar native to?
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) also known as red cedar, Virginian Juniper, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper, or Pencil Cedar is a cedar species that is native to eastern North America. Eastern red cedar is also commonly known as aromatic cedar because of its unique smell that keeps moths and other insects away.
How Strong is Cedar Wood?
Even though cedarwood is a softwood it isn´t actually all that soft, to begin with. It is only called a softwood because it doesn´t flower. Cedarwood is actually quite strong.
What are the two types of wood strength?
The strength of wood is measured with several different types of strength. We will take a look at the two most important types which is the compressive strength and the hardness of the wood.
Why is cedarwood used for outdoor projects?
Cedarwood is a popular choice for outdoor projects because of its natural resistance against rot. It is also fairly easy to work with and readily available in the U.S.
What does hardness tell us?
Hardness will tell us how hard the wood is in general. Meaning how resistant is the surface of the wood to scratches, dents, or something similar.
Is cedar a hardwood or a softwood?
Cedar is not a Hardwood it is a softwood. Hardwood is wood from trees that are angiosperm. Simply put angiosperm means, that the trees are producing seeds, that are encased and that the trees are flowering. That is not the case for Cedar. Cedar is a gymnosperm tree meaning non-flowering. So Cedar is per definition a softwood.
