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Cedar is
Plentiful
From Northern British Columbia, Canada, to California, a rugged 1,500-mile
spine of mountains parallels the Pacific coast of North America. Along the
slopes and in the valleys of these mountains humus-rich soil nourishes mixed
softwood forests in vast abundance. It is among these coastal forests that
the majority of Western Red Cedar grows. In addition, western red cedar also
grows in the drier interior forests of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho
and Montana, where they are smaller in stature with a tight-knotted-growth
characteristic.
Western red cedar trees are rarely grown in isolation; they are raised with other
species in predominantly managed forests in which controlled harvests,
natural regeneration, and reforestation programs ensure a perpetual harvest.
Unique Physical Qualities of Cedar
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is renowned worldwide for its unique
weather-resistant properties. It is a lightweight and dimensionally stable
wood, because it lies flat and stays straight, therefore resisting the
natural tendency to crack and check, as you might find in many other wood
species.
Being a naturally lightweight wood, cedar is easy to handle and craft for
both the professional and do-it-yourselfer. Cedar wood can be cut, shaped,
planed, sanded, nailed and glued easily. It is free of pitch and resin and
it finishes to a richly glowing surface that can be enhanced with
semi-transparent or full-bodied stains.
Western red cedar has an incredible thermal co-efficient, meaning that even
on hot days, it is cool to sit in. Cedar is resistant to bacteria and fungus,
and is 80% the strength of Oak, making cedar a most desirable wood for
building outdoor furniture.
Cedar has Natural Protection against the Elements
The oils contained within the fibers of western red cedar act as natural
preservatives. This helps the wood to resist rot and decay, making it
excellent furniture material for moist or humid climates. These properties
also make cedar a very popular material for hot tub and sauna areas.
Among other things, cedar's naturally occurring organic compounds (called thujaplicins) give off that distinct cedar aroma that makes the wood highly
unattractive to insects, moths, and other pests. This is why cedar is the
choice material for closet liners and blanket storage chests.
Cedar is Ideal for Long-term Use
Aside from being the choice material for outdoor patio and garden furniture,
cedar is the preferred material for any outdoor applications that seek
visual harmony with the landscape without sacrificing stability and
durability. Various uses range from patio furniture products to siding and patio
decking, to fences, planters, screens and shelters. Buildings that feature
cedar paneling, ceilings, or siding tend to stay cooler in the summer and
warmer in the winter. Cedar also has excellent sound suppression and
absorption qualities. Properly finished and maintained, western red cedar
ages gracefully and endures for many years. |
