What is Western Red Cedar
Why choose Western Red Cedar?
Western Red Cedar combines natural beauty, light weight and versatility. Its warm color and grain make it a popular choice for architectural details and outdoor projects, and its naturally durable heartwood is well suited to many exterior applications. Like all wood, cedar performs best when it is properly selected, installed and maintained.
A brief history
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae. Despite its common name, it is not a true cedar of the genus Cedrus. It is also known as Pacific redcedar, giant cedar and canoe cedar.
For generations, Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have used its wood for canoes, buildings and household objects, and its bark for woven baskets and clothing. Cedar remains an important part of the region’s cultural heritage.
About cedar trees
Western Red Cedar is a large, long-lived evergreen native to western North America. It thrives in many of the Pacific Northwest’s moist forests and also grows in parts of the inland Northwest.
Large old-growth trees can reach around 200 feet tall, and some live for more than 1,000 years. The tree is recognizable by its fibrous bark and flattened sprays of scale-like leaves.
About cedar wood
Western Red Cedar is lightweight and valued for its low shrinkage and dimensional stability. It still expands and contracts as its moisture content changes; no natural wood is completely free from movement or checking.
Its heartwood has natural resistance to decay, but cedar is not immune to rot or insect damage. Good drainage, suitable installation and regular care remain important.
Natural beauty
Cedar’s warm tones and distinctive grain bring character to indoor and outdoor spaces. Natural variation makes each piece individual, whether your project calls for a traditional, rustic or contemporary look.
From architectural brackets and corbels to pergolas and garden structures, cedar adds the warmth and texture of real wood.
Versatility & finishing
Western Red Cedar is free from pitch and resin and accepts a range of paints and stains. Different grades, dimensions and surface textures offer flexibility in appearance and design.
Unfinished cedar exposed outdoors gradually weathers toward gray. A suitable finish helps protect the surface and maintain or change its color; preparation, exposure and maintenance affect how long it lasts. See How to Finish Cedar.
Sustainability
Wood is a renewable material, and cedar products store carbon absorbed by the tree while it was growing. Responsible forest management and long product life are important parts of its environmental value.
Environmental performance depends on sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, maintenance and end-of-life handling. For projects with specific sustainability requirements, confirm the available sourcing documentation and certifications before ordering.
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