Cancel × Other Common Names/Trade Names: None Scientific Name: Calocedrus decurrens. In particular, it is important to think about the humidity levels 4 in your area and the amount of rainfall. Western red-cedar is also known as western redcedar, red cedar, Pacific red cedar, arborvitae (Latin for tree of life), giant arborvitae, or giant-cedar. Using this type of wood will mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed over the course of its life. One of the lightest in weight of the commercially important softwoods, it is often used for houseboats. Cedar is a drier wood than pressure-treated pine. Western Red Cedar is moderately soft and lightweight, and its heartwood is extremely decay-resistant and exhibits little shrinkage. • Western woods: Any combination of western species except cedar, e.g. It costs less and has a lighter natural color making it easier to stain. Many thanks to Jenni LeBaron for the lovely voice over. Their fencing products are Western Red Cedar and treated pine. How to Tell Cedar From Spruce. Add your thoughts here... (optional) Post to. Dimension Lumber grades, based on the National Grading Rule, are divided into four categories: 1. There are also documents that Tibetan monasteries burned cedar as incense. Climate Considerations. ** While sequoia trees and redwood trees have a number of physical similarities that can make them difficult to tell apart, you can often tell which is which by looking at the leaves. "Wet weather is more favorable for rust diseases, and we saw a ton of it last year because it was so rainy in the spring," Pscheidt said. Western red cedar, unless stained a different color, will naturally have a yellowish tone, while redwood has a noticeably more reddish-brown hue (there’s a reason it’s called “redwood”). The incense cedars in the wild thrive in a wide variety of conditions. Similar in stature to the Western Red Cedar, the Incense Cedar grows to 100’-150’, and 500 years old. It is said to be a very strong tree and its strength is celebrated in its native land. The other three western cedars are Alaskan Yellow cedar, Incense cedar and Port Orford cedar. The wood is generally straight-grained and has a uniform, but rather coarse texture. Redwood, on the other hand, has – big shocker here – a more reddish-brown hue. Here is an overview of the characteristics that determine the grades of Western Red Cedar: Clear Western Red Cedar. After all, they have a lot in common: both have that pleasant aroma we associate with closets and attics, both have a similar face grain and both are valued in exterior and interior building for their exceptional durability and decay resistance. Cedars have very typical "scale-like" leaves that can grow on flattened sprays or all around the twig. Mini-rant: Are Cedrus species superior to tier-2 species of cedar in any significant way (such as odor, rot resistance, etc.) Western Red Cedar Essential Oil is a rare and unique oil that is distilled from the leaves and branches of the tree. Making the Case for Western Red Cedar. Giant redwoods can live for up to **2,000 years. Western Red Cedar is what we mainly offer but there are three other species of western cedars that are worthy of mention and you will find them here as well. Western red cedar is an important tree in Native American cultures, and is the provincial tree emblem for British Columbia. that would make them more deserving of the cedar title? Incense Cedar lumber, one of the most durable and decay-resistant of native American woods, is produced from a forest tree found in California, southern Oregon and western Nevada. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) ... red-cedar or redcedar) to help distinguish them from those in the Cedrus genus that are deemed worthy of the standalone cedar name. Alaskan Yellow Cedar: Full Scribe: $55-$75: $65-85: $50-$60: Post & Beam: $45-$65: $45-$75: $40-$55: Timber Frame : $55-$75: N/A: $40-$55 *The above costs are an estimated average and can … General John Fremont discovered the tree in 1947 in the upper Sacramento valley during one of his expeditions through the West. Blog at WordPress.com. This aromatic member of the cypress family grows to 150 feet (46 meters). Recognizing the features of a cedar tree helps greatly in the identification of individual species. Heartwood varies from dark reddish brown to a pinkish color and has excellent weather-resistant properties. USGS Distribution Map. The climate in your area is one factor to consider when choosing between cedar and pine fences. Western red cedar was first collected by the surgeon-naturalist Archibald Menzies while on the George Vancouver expedition in 1792 near Nootka Sound. Sapwood is light yellow. and cypress (Cupressus spp.) Each log species is harvested from dead standing timber and dried to just the right moisture content level to allow the logs to easily acclimate to their new location. It is produced from a forest tree found in California, southern Oregon and western Nevada. The foliage forms flat sprays that often have a vertical orientation, unlike western red cedar, which has drooping sprays with a horizontal orientation.. Leaves: Incense cedar has small, flat scale-like leaves forming overlapping, long, wedge-shaped joints. Using Western Red Cedar for building a deck, fence, siding, or patio … Alpine fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, Idaho white pine and mountain hemlock • Western cedars: incense cedar, Western red cedar, Port Orford cedar and Alaska cedar. Residents of the eastern states may be surprised to know that some of the cedars in western parts of North America can grow to great heights, because the eastern species such as northern white cedar and Atlantic white cedar are both well under 100 feet tall. The incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is native to the mountains of the far west. Incense Cedar is generally known in the lumber industry as one of the twelve woods of the Western Woods Region Incense Cedar's botanical name is Libocedrus decurrens. Other Species Easily Confused With: Western red cedar ... Incense cedar has an acrid smell and taste whereas western red cedar has a sweet, pleasant smell and no taste. They are similar to the cedar tree in their leaf pattern, although cedar leaves typically look flatter or more ironed down than sequoia leaves. The trunk creates the familiar wide base of weathered gray bark, tapering up to a narrowly conical crown. w/Flared Ends. Western Red Cedar contains natural tannin oils that protect it from weathering, rotting, decay, and termite damage. Western red cedar, the cedar we are going to focus on in this article, unless stained a different color, naturally has a yellow undertone. Western Red Cedar is naturally decay and bug resistant and it doesn’t “bleed” like other woods, which makes it perfect for stains, sealers, and paints. Western Red Cedar trees, native to USA, can grow up to 150 feet and live for more than 1000 years. It is non-resinous and has a strong spicy scent. Incense cedar; Western red cedar; Major Characteristics of the Cedars . Cedar (Cedrus spp.) Its leaves emit a fruity smell when touched. All western cedars are similar with regard to their positive characteristics but they also have subtle yet significant differences as well. The reddish bark (that weathers gray) grows thick and fibrous, and may be irregularly furrowed up to four inches deep. It is not a true cedar; that name belongs to the old world genus Cedrus. . Incense Cedar does not get as large as Red Cedar, and the younger trees tend to grow in the shape of a pyramid rather than conical. Absolutely not. Both are beautiful but if you plan to use a tinted stain, you might want to go with cedar. It is a light weight wood which causes less stress on the posts and framework of the fence, and it is naturally more water repellent than other types of wood. While cedar and spruce trees are both coniferous evergreens, they are very different trees. Western red cedar is a high-quality grade wood that often costs more, but its benefits make that additional investment in price a worthy one. Here is some detailed information on cedar trees. The Western Red Cedar, a conifer native to Western Canada and USA was introduced to Britain in 1853. We offer Western Red cedar, white cedar, or the most popular incense cedar, our log packages are typically delivered within 45 days of the order. Incense Cedar fence pickets, rails and posts are one of the most durable and decay-resistant of native American woods. Cedar Size. Guide to identifying the Western Red Cedar. Clear, Vertical Grain – This is the highest grade of Western Red Cedar and is commonly just referred to as “VG”. This chart compares the average cost of Western Red Cedar vs. Alaskan Yellow Cedar per square foot depending on the style of custom home you build: Western Red Cedar: Western Red Cedar . Vertical grain means that the growth rings are parallel to each other on the face of the board, and the wood is sawn specifically to achieve that look. Cedar Tree: Facts and Information on Cedar Trees. Cedar rust can affect plants in western and southern Oregon. WESTERN RED CEDAR vs. OTHER CEDAR COMPETITIVE COMPARISONS OLD GROWTH WESTERN RED CEDAR 2nd GROWTH WESTERN RED CEDAR WHITE CEDAR INCENSE CEDAR AROMATIC (EASTERN RED) CEDAR CHINESE CEDAR Description Warm & Rich Naturally Beautiful Knot Clear - No Knots Knotty Knotty Knotty Knotty KnottyKnottyKnotty Knotty Knotty Knotty Age Old Growth 150~250 years Medium … incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) (click on each photo to enlarge image) More Info: If you would like a little more information on the group of native trees that comprise the false cedars, click here. Western Red Cedar, Western red-cedar, Thulja plicata Incense Cedar, Incense-cedar, Calocedrus decurrens Alaska Cedar, Alaska-cedar, Callitropsis nootkatensis (formerly Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) Port Orford Cedar, Port Orford-cedar, Chamaecyprisis lawsoniana The above hyphenated common names are more appropriate for they connote the fact that the species is not a true cedar, i.e., Cedrus. 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