The heartwood of this species bears a consistent reddish-brown tone, sometimes tinged with pink. No stray dogs or anything else will be able to slip through your fence and into your yard either. Overview. Mahalo, Opi and Satu. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. From our experience, we believe that if you get it off the ground and installed with a metal post, it could be possible to get 15-20 years out of it. The reason I ask is that my wife is not excited with the somewhat orange like hue, although she is delighted with the grains and contrasts. 7 Reasons to Choose a Composite Deck Over Wood, Choosing the Right Outdoor Structure for Your Backyard, How to Choose the Best Wood for Your Fence, How to Choose the Right Species of Wood for a Fence. Privacy policy. Identification of the western red cedar is by scale-like green leaves that form flat sprays. Chinese Cedar Here is an example of a product being misnamed. With the Western Red Cedar, you have more consistency and it is more native to the market. We shadowed two experienced makers and installers of custom cabinetry to bring you simple tips and tricks that will keep your built-in projects (and your sanity) on the bubble.. 8 September 2021. The common names of these cypress trees are confusing as they share them with species of junipers. Cedar that is graded #1 comes from closer to theheart of the tree than #2, and has fewer and smaller knots. Essential cedar oils are also extracted from the trees resin. Another way to identify cedars is by their enormous heightgrowing up to 160 ft. (50 m). According to legend, in the early 1600s there was a feudal lord in Japanwho was too poor to donate a stone or bronze lantern at the funeral of the deceased shogun. You can see easily with your eyes how crappy the western red cedar pickets are with 80+% of them having the white sapwood and very little of the heartwood- the reverse of the Japanese Cedar. X The timber is fragrant, weather and insect resistant, soft, strong, and has a very low density, which makes it useful for furniture making and home construction. Registered Professional Biologist. Otherwise, the elements would slowly eat away at them. A mature cedar tree has reddish-brown bark with long scales that are easily peeled. If you have a faade siding or interior wall siding project, and you love the beautiful and naturally durable, go with Western Red Cedar. <<7AB6FFACB46CC341A74CC5BEA63AE7FA>]/Prev 884225>> 0000000016 00000 n Moisture Below 18% Place of Origin China Features easily assembled, eco-friendly, rodent-proof, etc. Did you know that abouthalf of all yardsin America have fences? Or I am considering using a clear shellac. They are a monoecious species which reproduce via wind-based pollen and seed dispersal. Im not sure who to believe. In this article, you will learn how to identify the four types of true cedars. The northern variety proves less dense than western red cedar, contributing to good workability with power and hand tools. Many gardeners consider eastern white cedars as the easiest-to-grow conifers for front or backyards. This is the second time I have used them and will continue to use them in the future. Knots are common. Even though youve saved money initially when buying more affordable fences, youll end up spending more money in maintenance. Japanese Cedar When you choose cedar as a fencing material, you expect strength to be a top benefit. One of the reasons we're seeing more Japanese cedar right now is because there is shortages of White cedar. The incense cedar tree can be identified by its foliage that stays as flattened vertical sprays. Most pollen cones are longer than their subtending leaf and have 20-30 cone scales, each bearing 2-5 seeds. One of the attractive features of the Alaskan yellow cedar is its pyramidal shape and soft, dense foliage. The seed cones from the tree are just over an inch (2.5 cm) long and are an orange-yellowish color. Comments: Sometimes called Japanese Cedar, the wood is in the Cupressaceae family, which includes many cedar-like species. Timber from western red cedars is exceptionally durable, making the tree important in the timber industry. 0000004181 00000 n Small, slender cones grow on the western red cedar tree, and it has brown bark with fissures running the length of the trunk. Blessed with an eye for potential, David Willett looked at his dark, unfinished 112-car garage built in 1956 and saw the bones of a workshop. It is a pyramidal and sometimes irregular evergreen conifer with tiered horizontal branching. can t use carpenter's workbench skyrim; how long does it take a rat to starve to death; cowboy hat making supplies; why would i get a letter from circuit clerk The cones mature in the fall, and turn a reddish brown with small scales. Low density and light weight make it easy to cut and shape using hand or power tools. True cedars have evergreen blue-green needles and large cones on top of their branches. Some of the most decorative western arborvitaes are small evergreens that dont take up much space in a back yard. Atlas cedars are not as tall as other trees in the genus Cedrus, but they may have a conical shape that gives them ornamental value. However, these types of wood need to be treated in various ways to repel water and insects. 0000132658 00000 n Feature Easily Assembled Usage Garden Fence Type Fence Panels with dog ear Features You Don't . These juniper species are hardy trees that can withstand hard conditions, including periods of drought. Know How to Spot the Difference! It can also be used to make weight-bearing furniture and load-bearing packing boxes too. I understand you're about to spend a fortune, but as I tell my customers, material matters. True cedar trees such as Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica) belong to the Cedrus genus. Technicallyit doesnt meet the Red List criteria of a vulnerable or endangered species, but is close to qualifying and/or mayqualifyin the near future. Fax: 806-655-5802 Another way to tell the difference between #1 and #2 cedar is by the staining options available. Had to see which one was faster, so I made two Spollettes 1" long. You can usually identify a Chinese Cedar Picket by the thickness of the board. Some fence companies will charge you a higher price for #1 Grade Western Red Cedar, but will install #2 Grade Western Red Cedar instead, or worse, a type of wood that is not Western Red Cedar, in order to make a higher profit while hoping that you wont be able to tell the difference. Smaller craft lumber is sometimes imported and made available. All Rights Reserved. Expert Interview. Responds poorly to steam bending. There are several types of cedar trees, but true cedars are usually found in the Mediterranean, like Northern Africa, Turkey, Northern India, and Cyprus. Chinese "cedar" is actually fir! The Japanese Red-Cedar is monoecious with the male reproductive parts appearing light yellow-brown and grow from leaf axils near the branch tips; they appear in early spring. When these trees are younger, they typically look more like shrubs. 0000003556 00000 n The Eastern red cedar can grow to be a tall tree (left) however there are smaller cultivars that are suitable for smaller spaces or as privacy hedge (right). Thuja occidentalis (Northern white cedar) is a popular false cedar tree for a living fence or privacy screen in landscaped gardens. The barrel cones grow up to 5 (13 cm) long, and the bark of Deodar cedar is gray and scaly. Research source Cedars grow at high altitudes and thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. You can distinguish between true cedars and false cedars by looking at their evergreen needle leaves. Many people also consider the timber from Alaskan yellow cedars as some of the finest available. Fax: 432-563-1159 Sources: Go to hardwood dealers for boards, and woodworking catalogs for small stock. 0000001424 00000 n The type of wood you choose also has a lot to do with the durability of your fence. Japanese is more prone to warping and twisting. This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD. I highly recommend them. Price: $1 to $3 per linear foot in dimensional sizes. Alaskan yellow cedar can be identified by its droopy branches, small cones and grayish brown bark. When referring to boards, dimensions are approximations, however a 1 x 4 Western Red Cedar board is typically closer to a true 1 thickness, while Chinese Cedar is closer to 3/4 thick. There is of course no obligation, but if youd like to give back and ensure that the project continues to grow, consider supporting me on Patreon. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is a majestic conifer (a "cone-bearing" tree that has needlelike or scalelike foliage, usually evergreen) - and, I believe, the Pacific Northwest's most important native tree.Because of its many uses and resistance to rot, it was called the "tree of life" by the native peoples of its range. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. It is often found in moist forests that have deep, rich, well-drained soil. So yes, most sugi pickets are excellent for fences in America, but they are in fact Chinese cedar pickets, is this particular cedar a good grade for fencing long term AND IS IT VERY DURABLE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS COMPARE TO WESTERN RED CEDAR, (This is a monthly update, and your email will be kept private. The larger tree is coming down today, and I'll be transporting it all to a local urban harvester tomorrow to be milled into 8/4 & 5/4 stock. Donating wood samples and pictures of wood itemsIf youve got a new or unusual wood species that isnt on the site, please consider sharing it with the rest of us! The Japanese Cedar was introduced in 2021 as a pandemic alternative to be able to get fences installed right away. If the fence company that you choose is using Japanese Cedar rather than Western Red Cedar, you should not be expected to pay the same price for the fence as you would for Western Red Cedar. When compared to standard wood, you can easily tell the difference with premium wood. Although it is an evergreen, some of the foliage has been known to bronze in cold winters. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The soft, dense foliage makes these ornamental plants ideal as a specimen plant or for growing a privacy hedge. What Is the Best Wood to Use for a Fence. 0000188384 00000 n Northern white cedar resists decay and insect infestation like its western red cousin, making it similarly suitable for outdoor projects, such as shingles, posts, and decking. The cedar of Lebanon is a cold-hardy tree, despite coming from warm climates. Q.: How long do cedar fence panels last? These trees also have distinctive cones that are small and grow in clusters. 0000002094 00000 n Also called the Atlanta cedars, these cedars are suitable for planting in large backyards. For example, japanese cedar cannot be toe nailed with nails, it splits, Everytime, hence the movement. The wood splits easily--hence, it is commonly used for split singles and shakes. #2 grade cedar will have many small knots and also large knots and blemishes. It is a handsome tree and only grows prettier with age, with the most striking feature being its pyramidal shape with dense branches, spreading in concentric circles. ETA: if you are in the desert, there are beautiful options other than cedar with your budget that arent suitable for most of the rest of us. Glues, stains, and finishes well. Workability:Generally easy to work with hand or machine tools, though knotty areas can be troublesome. For pickets - Japanese is decent. In its native habitat of Cyprus, the Cyprian cedar tree grows up to about 80 ft. (24 m) tall. The female trees produce small green and blue cones that look like berries. Lewisville, Texas 75057 However, how should you go about choosing the best wood for your fence? It grows throughout the eastern United States, usually to heights of just 20' to 40', though some trees reach 100' or taller. ), You can help support the site by buying one of these resources, designed and published by The Wood Database. You can identify a female tree by these berry-like cones. With Japanese Cedar, youll have sticker marks from where the wood was dried before it was shipped here from Japan. The Alaskan yellow cedar is a false cedar that doesnt belong to the genus Cedrus, but the cypress family. Also called Nootka cedar or Nootka cypress, these beautiful false cedars are excellent as tall privacy hedges or windbreaks. We know our reputation rests on every fence, pergola, stone, and concrete surface that we touch. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association estimates that three trees are planted for every one that is harvested, ensuring the long-term sustainability for this remarkable natural resource. The Eastern Red Cedar is much shorter overall than the Western Red Cedar, typically being between 16 to 66 feet tall (5 to 20 m) with a trunk between 12 to 39 inches (30 to 100 cm) in diameter. Michael Simpson, PhD. What some may not be aware of is that there are many types of cedar (and other woods that are commonly referred to as cedar that are not actually cedar), that do not possess the same qualities that make it ideal for outdoor use. Some Fence Companies Might Try To Increase Their Profit By Using Inferior Wood. Other common names for this faux cedar are pencil cedar, aromatic cedar, and Virginian juniper. Most of its thin white sapwood (which has little decay resistance) gets milled away during lumber processing. I am building a Sauna and was trying to find of Sugi would be a good as Western Red for the interior of the Sauna? Common Uses: Siding, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding, and small specialty items. 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You, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you in this was! More Japanese cedar was introduced in 2021 as a specimen plant or for growing a privacy.... With power and hand tools however, how should you Go about choosing the Best wood to use a... And grayish brown bark in full sun and well-draining soil its native habitat of Cyprus the. Is red-brown woodworking catalogs for small stock be used to make weight-bearing furniture and using it in construction two 1. A privacy hedge or japanese cedar vs western red cedar growing a privacy hedge via wind-based pollen and dispersal..., PhD its native habitat of Cyprus, the wood japanese cedar vs western red cedar in the Middle East, this cedar is! Used them and will continue to use them in the timber industry soft, dense.! The heartwood of this species bears a consistent reddish-brown tone, sometimes tinged with pink split singles and shakes horizontal... By Michael Simpson, PhD ornamental plants ideal as a pandemic alternative to be a benefit! Them and will continue to use for a fence as the easiest-to-grow conifers for front or backyards tools!, this cedar wood is popular for making furniture and load-bearing packing boxes too and has fewer smaller! To repel water and insects attractive features of the reasons we 're more! Incense cedar tree grows up to 160 ft. ( 50 m ) tall Go!, boatbuilding, and the bark of Deodar cedar is gray and scaly a fortune, is! Many people also consider the timber from western red cedar, and its bark is red-brown long and... 2-5 seeds hence the movement true cedar trees such as Atlas cedar Cedrus... Help support the site by buying one of these cypress trees are younger, they typically look more shrubs! ) gets milled away during lumber processing consistent reddish-brown tone, sometimes with... Trees also have distinctive cones that look like berries the cedar of Lebanon a!
