SPECIES
WESTERN RED CEDAR • FAQ 2 of 2

Where does Western Red Cedar come from?

This tree was discovered by William Lobb on his expedition to California of 1849 – 1853, having been overlooked previously by David Douglas.

 

 

Thuja plicataWhat is Western Red Cedar lumber used for?

The soft red-brown timber is valued for its resistance to decay, being extensively used for outdoor construction in the form of posts, decking, shingles, siding, and so forth. It is cultivated as an ornamental tree and also (to a limited extent) in forestry plantations and for screens and hedges. It has been introduced to other parts of the temperate zone, including western Europe, Australia (at least as far north as Sydney), New Zealand, the eastern United States and higher elevations of Hawaii. It is also used to line closets and chests, for its pungent aromatic oils are believed to discourage moth and carpet beetle larvae, which can damage cloth by eating wool and similar fibers. This is of course more effective in a properly constructed redcedar chest (sometimes made entirely of cedar), since the oils are confined by shellac and leather seals. A well-sealed redcedar chest will retain its pungent odor for many decades, sometimes for over a century. Its light weight and strength make it a popular choice for guitar soundboards.    Source: Wikipedia