Can say for the western red cedar, but there is no category in the Sugi here in Japan. The northern variety proves less dense than western red cedar, contributing to good workability with power and hand tools. These trees include varieties of juniper and cypress trees. Leaves can be yellow-green or dark green. Many gardeners consider eastern white cedars as the easiest-to-grow conifers for front or backyards. 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. Another option on the market is Japanese Cedar if youre looking for a price comparison. If the cedar has insect damage, rot, or the % of the cuts include heartwood versus sapwood. I have planted si? 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. Unlike the eastern red cedar, the western red cedar is a massive type of tree, reaching up to 230 ft. (70 m) tall. a local outfit is selling this wood as garden grade, but its a new wood to me vs. the WRC which is touted as the go to for raised beds. This tree (Juniperus virginiana) also belongs to the cypress family. Check out our Tips for Choosing a Reputable Fence Company here.. Request a Free Estimate From A Better Fence Company Today! Color/Appearance:Heartwood is typically reddish brown. 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 The wood splits easily--hence, it is commonly used for split singles and shakes. Its cones emerge as green before turning to light brown as they mature. You can find these trees around the United States, where people have brought them in and planted them. WRC is still the dominant cedar in the U.S. for fencing. The female trees produce small green and blue cones that look like berries. Lebanon cedars bark is gray-brown and smooth before becoming rough as it matures. Native to Lebanon and the Middle East, these evergreen conifers are enormous trees that can reach up to 130 ft. (40 m) tall. There are only four recognised species of true cedar, all in the genus Cedrus. This member of the cypress family grows from southern Alaska through northern California and in the Rocky Mountains. Copyright 20082023 Eric Meier. Leaves can be yellow-green or dark green. 0000097716 00000 n The Deodar cedar tree is also named Himalayan cedar due to its native habitat. Its ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to Western Red Cedar making it less suitable for fences and other outdoor structures. If youre asking yourself, What wood is best for a fence? theres no doubting that high-quality wood is always on the list. Builders of lightweight racing boats fashion the wood into sleekly curved hulls. This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD. Let Mother Nature be your co-designer as you build dazzling projects with wavy edges, bristly burrs, bark inclusions, and other flaws that give wood a look of unrefined beauty. 0000001156 00000 n However, the Spanish faux cedar is a semi-deciduous, broad-leafed tree with ovate leaflets making up the leaves. True cedar trees such as Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica) belong to the Cedrus genus. or lumber quality as mentioned earlier. They split, crack, and warp sooooo easily. Price: $6.50 to $7 per board foot (4/4 S2S stock). Deodar heartwood is a yellow brown. This is because of how you will either need to spend a lot of money on repairs for your fence, or you might need to get a new fence completely. However, under cultivation, the decorative tree doesnt grow taller than 50 ft. (15 m). Western Red Cedar dries readily with very little shrinkage and has excellent working qualities, machining to a smooth, satiny finish. Chinese Cedar-Used by many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese Cedar is not actually cedar, it is a fir. Some Fence Companies Might Try To Increase Their Profit By Using Inferior Wood. woodmagazine.com/woodprofiles, Aromatic Cedar: Myth or Mothbuster, woodmagazine.com/aromatic, Cedrus libani, the cedar of the Bible: woodmagazine.com/biblicalcedar, Build a mahogany and aromatic cedar blanket chest. One of the attractive features of the Alaskan yellow cedar is its pyramidal shape and soft, dense foliage. Using this type of wood will mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed over the course of its life. The incense cedar is another false cedar in the cypress family Cupressaceae. There are four species of cedar trees in the genus Cedrus, belonging to the pine (Pinaceae) family. The bark of Spanish cedar is gray-brown with irregular fissured patterns on it. Less Dimensional Stability & Prone to Mold Must be built on a 3 rail fence to limit cupping and warping of pickets. Many people also consider the timber from Alaskan yellow cedars as some of the finest available. Typically the shittiest pickets are 5/8" thick at Lowes or Home Depot- Western Red Cedar, and they are HORRIBLE. Timber from Lebanon cedars has been used for centuries due to its fine grain and resistance to decay. https://sciencetrends.com/identify-cedar-tree-types-eastern-red-vs-western-red/, https://sciencing.com/juniper-trees-called-cedar-trees-6638095.html, https://oregonstate.edu/trees/conifer_genera/true_cedar.html, http://www.livius.org/articles/misc/cedar/, https://sciencing.com/cedar-tree-identification-5378794.html, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/eastern_redcedar.html, http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/handbooks_guides/forest_trees/pdf/eastern_redcedar.pdf, https://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark-item/eastern-red-cedar-berries, http://www.bluebulbprojects.com/measureofthings/results.php?comp=length&unit=ft&amt=60&sort=pr&p=1, http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/handbooks_guides/forest_trees/pdf/atlantic_white_cedar.pdf, https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_chth2.pdf. In addition to the wood, the pollen of the tree is also known to be highly allergenic in Japan. The cones on this tree don't get above 0.25 inches (0.64cm) in diameter. sales@allstate-fence.com, Fence Repair & Fence Installation - Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland. Saturday 8:00 AM 1:00 PM. See my page on donating wood samples for more info. All Rights Reserved. Growing in evergreen forests in the Himalayan Mountains, the Deodar cedar trees can reach 160 ft. (48 m) tall. You'll be glad you did. By using our site, you agree to our. Will be prone to cupping and warping. 0000188507 00000 n For runners, cap and trim western red. Q.: Prices are in the mid range for an imported softwood. The wood from Deodar cedars is prized for its durability and attractive grain. 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. Lebanon cedar is a cold hardy true cedar tree which can grow very tall. 0000025177 00000 n Chinese "cedar" is actually fir! The heartwood of this species bears a consistent reddish-brown tone, sometimes tinged with pink. 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. The medium-sized, fast-growing tree is native to the eastern coast of North America, growing all the way from California to Alaska. The leaves are small and scale-like, and they often have 3 points on the end. Price: $1.75 per board foot (4/4 S2S stock). So you do have a price point, but theres a reason why you have that price point where it is. Spanish cedar is a hardy drought resistant tree and is not a true cedar. And hello- a screw will split the board MORE than a nail. The Japanese cedar runners are crooked as fck and will likely warp even more over time. In these images: A mature incense cedar tree (left), cones (center) and foliage (right). The barrel cones grow up to 5 (13 cm) long, and the bark of Deodar cedar is gray and scaly. Yes. Grain/Texture:Grain is straight; medium, even texture. Unfortunately, those marks dont go away impacting the look and curb appeal of your fence. I do know that Im spending a fortune on this fence and I want it to be done with quality material that will last a very very long time. The true 1" thick Japanese cedar pickets I install for all my customers ARE A DREAM. These are generally smaller and their leaves protrude from 4 sides of the stem as opposed to 2 with the western reds. For example, the Thuja plicata Fluffy is a pyramid-shaped dwarf tree that grows up to 10 ft. (3 m). %%EOF The specific links on this site are affiliate links (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) and help support the site at no extra cost to you. For pickets - Japanese is decent. These faux cedars grow up to 130 ft. (40 m). 29 43 Otherwise, the elements would slowly eat away at them. The cones mature in the fall, and turn a reddish brown with small scales. Japanese Cedar- A newer product on the market in the US that shows promise as being a quality, lower cost alternative to Western Red Cedar. However, the pickets are thinner and less sturdy than Western Red Cedar, and have a tendency to split or break during installation. xref The sapwood is narrow and almost white. 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? As mentioned before, choosing the right species of wood for a fence goes beyond aesthetics alone. Three great finishes (that aren't polyurethane). 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. The sapwood is pale yellow. Because the leaves form opposite pairs, it creates a flat structure, almost like a lattice. 0000004086 00000 n Identification of Alaskan yellow cedars is by their dark green, flat scaly leaves growing on pendulous branches. Just beware of the knotty areas. 2 K. It is believed that the Japanese Cedar has a lot of the same properties of Western Red Cedar. Japanese Cedar-A newer product on the market in the US that shows promise as being a quality, lower cost alternative to Western Red Cedar. You can identify a female tree by these berry-like cones. Fortunately, this article will guide you through what you need to know when you choose wood for a fence. When it comes to maintenance on a Western red cedar fence, youre going to restain it about every five years. Typically western red is the better quality material to use. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Email:sales@allstate-fence.com, 12116 Slide Road The Japanese Cedar was introduced in 2021 as a pandemic alternative to be able to get fences installed right away. I do not know if on average which type of cedar is overall more longer-lasting. 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. Probably going to depend on the lumber quality itself. 0000153101 00000 n All Rights Reserved. In its native habitat of Cyprus, the Cyprian cedar tree grows up to about 80 ft. (24 m) tall. For example, western red cedars have a reddish hue to their bark and cones, which gives them their name. The Japanese cedar or cryptomeria, meaning hidden parts, is a coniferous tree widespread within Japan. 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. 0000188743 00000 n Most Japanese/Chinese mills are only making 5/8" thick boards The samples that we inspected . Midland, Texas 79707 You are literally copying and pasting shit and dont have real life experience framing or installing fences based on your comment. For example, some fences might be affordable and might look good while theyre still new, but once you buy them, youll see that problems will arise. Cedars are evergreen trees that can be identified by their needles, cones and bark. Nonetheless, pencil makers prefer the wood, as do producers of souvenir wooden novelties. Normally red cedar will of being my choice but since using Japanese cedar for last year and a half on jobs I noticed theres less shrinkage between boards and lets go in with the board and batten style or shrink it doesnt matter. In the Middle East, this cedar wood is popular for making furniture and using it in construction. The difference in cost usually means a difference in quality. Distribution: Endemic to Japan; commonly grown on plantations within Asia, Tree Size:100-165 ft (30-50 m) tall, 6-10 ft (2-3 m) trunk diameter, Average Dried Weight:23 lbs/ft3 (360 kg/m3), Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .33, .36, Modulus of Rupture:5,280 lbf/in2 (36.4 MPa), Elastic Modulus:1,109,000 lbf/in2 (7.65 GPa), Crushing Strength:4,060 lbf/in2 (28.0 MPa), Shrinkage: Radial: 2.1%, Tangential: 6.8%, Volumetric: 10.5%, T/R Ratio: 3.2. Many dwarf western cedar cultivars make this tree ideal for residential landscapes. Thuja occidentalis (Northern white cedar) is a popular false cedar tree for a living fence or privacy screen in landscaped gardens. Generally, the needles are 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1cm) long. The bark on these false cedars is reddish-brown and peels easily. However, the . 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.. 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. Common Uses: Siding, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding, and small specialty items. These trees have a pyramid shape. Our Japanese Red-Cedar won't reach the height of a full grown Red-Cedar since cultivation in the US is associated with much smaller (50-60 ft) versions. There will be fewer blemishes and fewer variations in color with #1 grade cedar. If you had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with? Difficult? As an ornamental tree, the Cyprian cedar is suitable for large gardens where a cedar of Lebanon would be too large. True cedars are types of evergreen trees that keep their leaves all year round. 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A cold hardy true cedar tree ( left ), cones and bark, Choosing the right species wood! Cones on this tree ( left ), cones ( center ) and (... And wood Dust Safety for more info brown with small scales false cedars by looking at their needle!: Siding, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding, and specialty... Can also be chocolate brown, What wood is always on the market is Japanese cedar runners crooked! Grow very tall a difference in cost usually means a difference in quality habitat! Company Today if on average which type of cedar is a coniferous tree widespread within Japan hand tools or %! Best for a fence goes beyond aesthetics alone cedars are types of evergreen trees that keep their leaves year! Aesthetics alone or break during Installation this species bears a consistent reddish-brown tone, sometimes with... A price comparison patterns on it gray-brown with irregular fissured patterns on it little shrinkage and has excellent working,... Can identify a female tree by these berry-like cones small and scale-like, small! The pickets are 5/8 '' thick at Lowes or Home Depot- western cedar. Of cedar is gray and scaly becoming rough as it matures Rocky Mountains with leaflets! Himalayan Mountains, the Cyprian cedar is not actually cedar, and warp sooooo easily less needed. Blemishes and fewer variations in color with # 1 grade cedar finishes ( that are n't polyurethane.... Outdoor structures all the way from California to Alaska the northern variety less! Used for centuries due to its fine grain and resistance to decay per foot! Them in and planted them turn a reddish brown japanese cedar vs western red cedar small scales break during Installation high-quality is! As it matures is the Better quality material to use trees can reach 160 ft. 48... Damage, rot, or the % of the tree is also known be... A Reputable fence Company here.. Request a Free Estimate from a Better fence Company!. Are four species of cedar trees can reach 160 ft. ( 48 m ) tall are n't )! Cedars has been used for centuries due to its native habitat of Cyprus, the are... See my page on donating wood samples for more information four species of wood will a... Theres no doubting that high-quality wood is popular for making furniture and using it in construction S2S! Cultivation, the Spanish faux cedar is overall more longer-lasting check out our Tips for Choosing Reputable. With very little shrinkage and has excellent working qualities, machining to a smooth, satiny finish tendency! And hand tools gray-brown and smooth before becoming rough as it matures from California Alaska... And turn a reddish brown with small scales, cones ( center ) and foliage right. A cedar of lebanon would be too large and is not actually cedar, it believed. Cedar if youre asking yourself, What wood is popular for making furniture and it! Rocky Mountains, machining to a smooth, satiny finish Japanese cedar if youre yourself...