The aromatic leaves emit a pineapple scent when crushed. Grain/Texture:Grain is straight; medium, even texture. Looking to build tabletops and counters for a small Japanese restaurant. Sources: Find knotty grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards; clear grades at hardwood dealers. 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. Another identification feature of true cedar trees is their large, barrel-like cones that grow upward on branches rather than dangle. All WFP's LIFESTYLE CEDAR Japanese cedar fencing products are kiln-dried, making them . However, how should you go about choosing the best wood for your fence? Western Red Cedar is highly durable and weather resistant. Clear cedar, which is a higher grade than #1, comes from the heart (center) of the tree and has no knots and few blemishes. Western Red Cedar is a wonderful species, with the grain being very straight. 0000194090 00000 n Your article was. The Japanese Red Cedar is susceptible to Phytophthora root disease, Armillaria root rot, and Juniper blight. Scientific Name: Calocedrus decurrens (syn. 0000080086 00000 n If you choose the Pre-Stained option, you are more than likely going to get a #2 grade cedar, unless that fence company has a staining facility where they stain the pickets themselves. There are four species of cedar trees in the genus Cedrus, belonging to the pine (Pinaceae) family. Mahalo, Opi and Satu. You can usually identify a Chinese Cedar Picket by the thickness of the board. 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. And hello- a screw will split the board MORE than a nail. Cedar is a rot-resistant wood, and with a stain or sealant applied I would think the difference would be minimal, and depend more on the installation job (are the pickets off the ground?) Dries quickly, soft wood that endures expansion and contraction from moisture variation, and its easy to work with . In confined spaces, the resins in eastern red cedar can cause finishing problems, as they inhibit proper hardening of oil finishes. Allergies/Toxicity:Sugi sawdust has been reported to cause unspecified allergic reactions. I own and operate a fence company and have installed TENS OF THOUSANDS of Japanese Cedar pickets, 2x4's, and 2x6's. The large tree has a conical crown of spreading branches producing soft, scale-like leaves. Amarillo, Texas 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. Using this type of wood will mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed over the course of its life. These trees include varieties of juniper and cypress trees. Its an acre yard. 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. Rot Resistance:Rated as moderately durable to durable; moderateinsect/borer resistance. However, the . It is believed that the Japanese Cedar has a lot of the same properties of Western Red Cedar. It all has to do with what properties a certain species of wood might have. Cedar is dimensionally very stable in service. Within its range, Spanish cedar gets used for everything from furniture to windows and cabinetry. Thebest wood for a fence will need to be sturdy enough to withstand elements and a bit of impact. sales@allstate-fence.com, Fence Repair & Fence Installation - Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland. You'll be glad you did. Redwood has more tannin than cedar so it may be a little bit more rot resistant than redwood. Being lightweight, the wood becomes easy to handle and operate. 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. When using this fence you have to put a solid stain on it because its more of hardwood and it doesnt allow the other stain types to penetrate. Although the Japanese Red-Cedar is an evergreen, some of the foliage has been known to bronze in cold winters. Most people refer to this wood as "aromatic cedar" because of its pungent natural oils, and use it to line closets and hope chests to ward off insects. For runners, cap and trim western red. Its needle-like leaves grow in small, dense clusters on short shoots. Michael Simpson, PhD. Essential cedar oils are also extracted from the trees resin. Used for centuries in both structural and appearance applications, Japanese Cedar has a beautiful pinkish-red hue and is straight-grained and medium textured. The Japanese Cedar was introduced in 2021 as a pandemic alternative to be able to get fences installed right away. Did you know that abouthalf of all yardsin America have fences? With the Western Red Cedar, you have more consistency and it is more native to the market. Its ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to Western Red Cedar making it less suitable for fences and other outdoor structures. For example, western red cedars have a reddish hue to their bark and cones, which gives them their name. Japanese Cedar When you choose cedar as a fencing material, you expect strength to be a top benefit. The type of wood you choose also has a lot to do with the durability of your fence. Texture is fine but uneven due to the prominent growth rings. This is absolute complete bullshit. Common Uses:Siding, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding, and small specialty items. We'll slice through the five most common species so you can choose the cedar that best suits your project. See my page on donating wood samples for more info. The wood tends to be brittle, tearing out without sharp cutters and backer boards. These factors make yellow cedars excellent specimen trees for landscaping. The sole hardwood and only import of this group, Spanish cedar (Cedrela oderata) grows natively in Central and South America, and has been planted in Florida. xref One company says western red is the best and the other says Japanese cedar is grade 1 and the best. Western red, assuming your climate is temperate or damp, and not white hot dry desert. Knots are common. Press J to jump to the feed. 8 September 2021. Overview. thanks. X Just beware of the knotty areas. For instance, you're likely to find the Western Red Cedar, the Eastern Red Cedar, or the Atlantic White Cedar. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Know How to Spot the Difference! By the way, the Japanese almost never make fences out of wood, so a Japanese cedar fence is a pretty rare item. Lebanon cedars bark is gray-brown and smooth before becoming rough as it matures. There are several types of cedar trees, but true cedars are usually found in the Mediterranean, like Northern Africa, Turkey, Northern India, and Cyprus. 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. Nah. Comments:Sometimes called Japanese Cedar, the wood is in theCupressaceae family, which includes many cedar-like species. Redwood - with a janka rating of 450lbs - is about 23% stronger than cedar (janka rating of 350lbs). Privacy policy. However false cedars belong to the family cupressaceae (cypress). See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. If you had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with? 0000153101 00000 n Q.: In warmer climates, its significant growth has a spreading nature that provides shade underneath. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 0000237930 00000 n Only way to combat it is by using screws, hence the movement. It has very high natural decay resistance. Keep your favorite wines, stemware, and serving accessories handy in this stylish unit. Sometimes thewood is traditionally charred black (increasing its fire and rot resistance) using a Japanese technique known as shou sugi ban; such flame-treated planks are commonly used as siding. True cedars in the Cedrus genus have needle clusters on woody pegs. %PDF-1.5 % Specializing in Western Red Cedar Wood Fences We offer our customer the best and most comprehensive Western Red Cedar Grades on the market. 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. 0000188507 00000 n For best results coat all six sides before installation. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. 0000002094 00000 n The sapwood is pale yellow. Clear cedar is not commonly used for building fences because of the much higher cost. Depending on the cultivar, foliage color can range from bright, golden yellow to dark, luscious green. To help you estimate the height, think about your own height. Email:sales@allstate-fence.com, 10200 Highway 191 Sources: Luthier's supply companies, specialty hardwood dealers. 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. The tree is fast-growing for the first 50 years before slowing down. To identify Deodar cedar trees, look for drooping branches growing on these tall conifers. 0000001487 00000 n One of the reasons we're seeing more Japanese cedar right now is because there is shortages of White cedar. 71 0 obj <>stream Could you ever use Sugi cedar for siding on a house? Like most cedars, the wood is soft, light, aromatic, and resistant to decay. Probably going to depend on the lumber quality itself. 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. WRC is still the dominant cedar in the U.S. for fencing. It's an inferior product. The female cones are brown, globular, and solitary. Sources: Tough to locate outside its range; within the range, check lumber dealers and local sawmills. Its ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to Western Red Cedar making it less suitable for fences and other outdoor structures. 2 K. When it comes to maintenance on a Western red cedar fence, youre going to restain it about every five years. However, the false cedars that are actually cypress trees, generally have soft, scaly feather-like leaves. However, these types of wood need to be treated in various ways to repel water and insects. It has needle like leaves, which are approximately 0.5-1 cm long, and globular seed cones that are 1-2 cm in diameter and contain about 20-40 scales. In colder climates, incense cedars grow naturally as tall columnar trees. Unlike other types of true and false cedars, the Spanish cedar is native to tropical countries. The wood is awfully soft, so youd definitely be faced with a lot of dents and dings. Appreciate any input. Even the strongest storm will have a hard time knocking over a premium wood fence. 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. Bow Woods (from a mathematical perspective), Four Common Finishing Mistakes (and how to avoid them). Can someone tell me if I can expect a Sugi bedframe I am making to substantially darken if I dont apply a finish? "Helped me determine whether I have a white oak or water oak in my back yard--it's a water oak. The wood splits easily--hence, it is commonly used for split singles and shakes. Yellow, red and western red cedar leaves are flat and fern-like in arrangement, leathery in texture and crumble easily if you rub them between your fingers. The Japanese cedar runners are crooked as fck and will likely warp even more over time. Others rely on it for lining closets or cigar humidors. At 29 lbs. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) reigns supreme for the production of decking, siding, shingles, and outdoor structures because of its natural decay resistance, ability to repel water, and abundance. Cones growing on eastern cedars are a light blue color and look like clusters of small berries. Research source Smooth and supple as butter, straighter, and they never crack or split or warp like western red cedar. I understand you're about to spend a fortune, but as I tell my customers, material matters. Some Fence Companies Might Try To Increase Their Profit By Using Inferior Wood. The sapwood is narrow and almost white. 0000003443 00000 n Incense Cedar (Caldocedrus decurrens) Common Name (s): Incense Cedar, California White Cedar. It serves as the national tree of Japan and is often planted around shrines and temples. The leaves generally make a flat shape, making them look a bit like ferns. Sugi is a commercially important softwood species within Japan, and is commercially grown for many construction purposes. Canoe builders use the wood to fashion their boats. From making your yard feel more comfortable, to giving your property more privacy. These cones will be covered in thin scales. 0000189292 00000 n 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. Most fence suppliers in North Texas do not offer Pre-Stained #1 grade Western Red Cedar pickets. These facts make the lumber valuable in the construction industry, where resistance to termites and rot is crucial. 0000188853 00000 n 0000188631 00000 n HWr}WL*U)2~yHHQ, 0000003258 00000 n Although the price is slightly less for Japanese cedar, there are some differences in the properties of the two woods. Some of the most decorative western arborvitaes are small evergreens that dont take up much space in a back yard. 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. 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. Little scientific data exists, however, to show the wood repels bugs effectively. 0000044399 00000 n 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. Making surethat the right type of cedar is being installed will make a huge difference in the quality, look, and overall longevity of your fence. If youre interested in getting wood fences from us dont hesitate toget an estimatehere. Price: $1.75 per board foot (4/4 S2S stock). Before you choose any species, you need to consider the quality of the wood first. 0000003556 00000 n For smaller spaces choose dwarf cultivars such as Juniperus virginiana Skyrocket and Juniperus virginiana Brodie.. Making surethat the right type of cedar is being installed will make a huge difference in the quality, look, and overall longevity of your fence. If youre doing a transparent stain, youre going to restain every two to three years. Well also look at other trees that have the common name cedar but botanically speaking are not cedars in the real sense of the word. Odor:Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like odor. Being an informed consumer, and choosinga reputable, trustworthy fence company for your project will give you peace of mind that you are getting what you are paying for. Its common and botanical name literally means wood of the gods. Deodar cedars are fast-growing, large evergreen conifer trees that have a distinctly conical shape. For example, Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and Eastern Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) are false cedars in the cypress family. For pickets - Japanese is decent. Western red cedar is a very tall conifer tree (left) but dwarf cultivars are available too such as Thuja plicata Green Giant (left). Many gardeners consider eastern white cedars as the easiest-to-grow conifers for front or backyards. This species of arborvitae has slender brown seed cones, and its bark is red-brown. Registered Professional Biologist. Average Dried Weight: 24 lbs/ft 3 (385 kg/m 3) The Deodar cedar tree is also named Himalayan cedar due to its native habitat. The leaves are small and scale-like, and they often have 3 points on the end. They actually are LESS brittle than the western red cedar and tend to accept fasteners BETTER than western red cedar. References. The Japanese Red Cedar is often cultivated in China and planted in rows for timber production in many countries, which is why it has been deemed economically productive. You can identify a female tree by these berry-like cones. Don't plant one. 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. Northern white cedars are identified by their soft feathery foliage with scale-like flat leaves, creating a fan shape on branches. Western Red Cedar dries readily with very little shrinkage and has excellent working qualities, machining to a smooth, satiny finish. Cyprian Cedar is one of the rarest cedars and it has short needles. Red cedar has plicatic acid in it which makes it highly resistant to decay, while I cannot say the same about Japanese sugi, which is not that decay-resistant. Yellow cedar ranges in color from creamy white to sulfur yellow, with occasional dark streaks. @ k>262780/t05E'i[hhd0`pZja-\S?9i>PA:F _ * Chinese Cedar Here is an example of a product being misnamed. Also called Nootka cedar or Nootka cypress, these beautiful false cedars are excellent as tall privacy hedges or windbreaks. With Japanese Cedar, youll have sticker marks from where the wood was dried before it was shipped here from Japan. Fax: 432-563-1159 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. The cones mature in the fall, and turn a reddish brown with small scales. Otherwise, the elements would slowly eat away at them. What Is the Best Wood to Use for a Fence. The slow-growing conifer tree has a conical shape, dense foliage, and upward growth. The wood ranks as hard and dense, with tight rings indicative of its slow growth. Price: $3.50 per board foot (4/4, S2S stock). There are also red cedar trees, which you can find outside of the Mediterranean. 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. Pine and spruce wood isnt as durable as harder types of wood, so they might be more likely to sustain damage. I have planted si? 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. Or, there is the fast-growing Green Giant arborvitae that has a conical shape and grows up to 60 ft. (18 m). It has little shrinkage. It grows throughout the eastern United States, usually to heights of just 20' to 40', though some trees reach 100' or taller. If you are told that you are getting #1 grade Western Red Cedar Pre-Stained, make sure you inspect the pickets closely when they arrive. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Sources: Seek out hardwood dealers for lumber, home centers for closet lining. Copyright 20082023 Eric Meier. Used by many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese Cedar is not actually cedar, it is a fir. It is a pyramidal and sometimes irregular evergreen conifer with tiered horizontal branching. Builders of lightweight racing boats fashion the wood into sleekly curved hulls. 0000000016 00000 n This is not big box lumber. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Identify-Cedar-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Identify-Cedar-Trees-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Identify-Cedar-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/aid10122095-v4-728px-Identify-Cedar-Trees-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"