japanese cedar vs western red cedar

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 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. We are proud of our work, and we know you'll be proud of your property as a result. 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. Leaves can be yellow-green or dark green. The wood ranks as hard and dense, with tight rings indicative of its slow growth. Western Red Cedar is highly durable and weather resistant. The barrel-shaped cones have smooth scales and are shorter than other cedarsyellow before maturing to dark brown. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 76,127 times. startxref Incense Cedar (Caldocedrus decurrens) Common Name (s): Incense Cedar, California White Cedar. 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. Vinyl Fencing Vinyl fencing is different from wood, as it is made of polymers that allow it to appear ageless for lifetimes. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. As a guide, 60 feet (18m) is about the length of a bowling lane. 0000097716 00000 n Timber from western red cedars is exceptionally durable, making the tree important in the timber industry. There will be fewer blemishes and fewer variations in color with #1 grade cedar. Technicallyit doesnt meet the Red List criteria of a vulnerable or endangered species, but is close to qualifying and/or mayqualifyin the near future. Bow Woods (from a mathematical perspective), Four Common Finishing Mistakes (and how to avoid them). 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. For more tips, including how to identify Atlantic white cedar trees, read on! Research source 0000063072 00000 n Construction or premium grade wood is the best kind of wood you can buy, though it is also some of the most expensive. 0000003320 00000 n Pine and spruce wood isnt as durable as harder types of wood, so they might be more likely to sustain damage. Even the strongest storm will have a hard time knocking over a premium wood fence. The bark is a red-brown color and peels in vertical strips. Because the leaves form opposite pairs, it creates a flat structure, almost like a lattice. Many dwarf western cedar cultivars make this tree ideal for residential landscapes. It works well. The cones on this tree don't get above 0.25 inches (0.64cm) in diameter. The Alaskan yellow cedar is a false cedar that doesnt belong to the genus Cedrus, but the cypress family. They dont grow to more than 40 ft. (12 m) tall in garden landscapes and are ideal for full sun and hot, arid conditions. Lebanon cedar is a cold hardy true cedar tree which can grow very tall. 0000003556 00000 n Some Lebanon cedars can live for over 1,000 years. Don't plant one. It looks like a smaller version of its larger cousin, the Lebanon cedar. Clumps of small needles arranged spirally on short and woody stems identify the Cyprian cedar. However, the . There are also red cedar trees, which you can find outside of the Mediterranean. I would still also avoid oil-based finishes as they might contribute to darkening over time. Find information about 100+ wood species in our online wood reference. Native to Lebanon and the Middle East, these evergreen conifers are enormous trees that can reach up to 130 ft. (40 m) tall. Small, slender cones grow on the western red cedar tree, and it has brown bark with fissures running the length of the trunk. Phone: 806-799-3729 The Japanese might use treated Japanese cedar fence posts, although I have never seen any either (having lived 8 years in Japan, travelingRead more , Its worth noting that the weird sugi is used as a marketing tool, most pickets that are sold as Japanese sugi are in fact western red cedar trees farmed in China. Sources: Find knotty grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards; clear grades at hardwood dealers. Its scientific namebrevifoliameans small foliage and refers to the short needles and compact growth of this sun-loving cedar. Bright orange to red leaf spots occur on apples, hawthorns, and other plants in the Rosaceae family. The cedar of Lebanon is a cold-hardy tree, despite coming from warm climates. Cedar wood only shrinks moderately, dries quickly and easily. These factors make yellow cedars excellent specimen trees for landscaping. At All-State Fence & Supply, we useONLY Western Red Cedar for our cedar fences, arbors and pergolas. #2 grade cedar will have many small knots and also large knots and blemishes. 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. 29 43 Press J to jump to the feed. Comments:Sometimes called Japanese Cedar, the wood is in theCupressaceae family, which includes many cedar-like species. Notice the cupping even before it's installed. If the cedar has insect damage, rot, or the % of the cuts include heartwood versus sapwood. Many people make the mistake of buying pine or spruce for fences since these species of wood are common and affordable. The leaves are often used to make incense. The Japanese red-cedar prefers warmer climates with wet or moist woodlands. Saturday 8:00 AM 1:00 PM. Also unlike most softwoods, Yellow Cedar's density across single growth rings is quite uniform, making it a good species for carving and woodworking. endstream endobj 30 0 obj <> endobj 31 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/Pattern<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Shading<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 32 0 obj <> endobj 33 0 obj <> endobj 34 0 obj [/ICCBased 52 0 R] endobj 35 0 obj [/Pattern] endobj 36 0 obj <> endobj 37 0 obj <> endobj 38 0 obj <> endobj 39 0 obj <> endobj 40 0 obj <> endobj 41 0 obj <> endobj 42 0 obj <> endobj 43 0 obj <> endobj 44 0 obj <>stream The Japanese red-cedar, otherwise called the "Japanese sugi pine" - known to the Japanese as Sugi - is a large evergreen tree which is native to Japan, can reach up to 70 m in height, and can reach trunk diameters of 4m. In some growing conditions, the eastern red cedar never grows taller than a small shrub-like evergreen tree. %%EOF 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. Rout the recesses right to hold a lid upright. per cubic foot, this density means it stands up to wear and tear even better than Western Red Cedar. The sapwood is pale yellow. They are far superior but I believe it's more because of the thickness but also Japanese Cedar has more of the chocolate, pink, and purple hues indicative of higher oil levels and higher heartwood levels. Also, it's often one of the first trees to return to an area that's suffered damage, such as wildfire. Check out our Tips for Choosing a Reputable Fence Company, Inform Yourself! Using this type of wood will mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed over the course of its life. 29 0 obj <> endobj The wood tends to be brittle, tearing out without sharp cutters and backer boards. You can usually identify a Chinese Cedar Picket by the thickness of the board. What Is the Best Wood to Use for a Fence. Cedars grow at high altitudes and thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. WRC is still the dominant cedar in the U.S. for fencing. Most Japanese/Chinese mills are only making 5/8" thick boards The samples that we inspected . 0000188631 00000 n 0000442052 00000 n Last Updated: April 20, 2022 No stray dogs or anything else will be able to slip through your fence and into your yard either. Would Sugi Pine be a good choice for this project t? The scales fall off when the cone matures. Choose polyurethane or lacquer for the best finishing results. When it comes to maintenance on a Western red cedar fence, youre going to restain it about every five years. 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. Being lightweight, the wood becomes easy to handle and operate. Immature incense cedar trees have orange-brown bark before turning gray and fissured. Clear cedar is not commonly used for building fences because of the much higher cost. 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. 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. 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. Its ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to Western Red Cedar making it less suitable for fences and other outdoor structures. Its natural oils are insect and decay resistant, and left in its natural state it remains beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Identification of the western red cedar is by scale-like green leaves that form flat sprays. The aromatic leaves emit a pineapple scent when crushed. 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. No matter what type of fence you have installed, you should expect to see minor imperfections and blemishes which will not affect the quality of the fence. For runners, cap and trim western red. The bark has been known to be a vital food source for some moth larvae of the genus Endoclita including E. auratus, E. punctimargo and E. undulifer. These trees have a pyramid shape. One of the attractive features of the Alaskan yellow cedar is its pyramidal shape and soft, dense foliage. It works easily with hand and power tools, but use a respirator and gloves if you experience rash and respiratory problems. The four types of cedar trees are Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) with dark green foliage, Cyprian cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) with bluish-green needle-leaves, Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) with bright green needles and moderately large cones, and cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) with its glaucous, bluish-green foliage. 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. 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. Typically western red is the better quality material to use. 0000153101 00000 n If you have a faade siding or interior wall siding project, and you love the beautiful and naturally durable, go with Western Red Cedar. 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. Copyright 20082023 Eric Meier. 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. Lets look at some of the most common false or faux cedars. Then eastern white if you want to save some money on the hidden structure parts. Some ornamental cultivars include the Golden Atlas Cedar Aurea with golden foliage, Blue Atlas Cedar Glauca with its bluish green needles, the Glauca Pendula, with weeping branches, and Argentea Fastigiataan upright columnar tree with a pencil shape. % of people told us that this article helped them. In these images: A mature incense cedar tree (left), cones (center) and foliage (right). I have planted si? And hello- a screw will split the board MORE than a nail. 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. 0000169580 00000 n Heres how. 0000188965 00000 n Canoe builders use the wood to fashion their boats. And some woodworkers report rash and respiratory problems. The Japanese red-cedar, otherwise called the "Japanese sugi pine" - known to the Japanese as Sugi - is a large evergreen tree which is native to Japan, can reach up to 70 m in height, and can reach trunk diameters of 4m. 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? This cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is sometimes called "arbor vitae" (tree of life). In these pictures: Cedrus Atlantica Glauca Pendula (left) and Cedrus Atlantica Aurea (right). The common names of these cypress trees are confusing as they share them with species of junipers. Im finding very little about it online. Expert here. There are only four recognised species of true cedar, all in the genus Cedrus. <<7AB6FFACB46CC341A74CC5BEA63AE7FA>]/Prev 884225>> The Atlas cedar tree is a type of true cedar tree that looks similar to varieties of Lebanon cedars. 0000199508 00000 n The lightweight wood bears straight grain and proves easy to machine and finish. Cedars are evergreen trees that can be identified by their needles, cones and bark. Before you choose any species, you need to consider the quality of the wood first. 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. Sapwood is straw colored and clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Western Red Cedar, and Japanese Cedar can be allowed to weather naturally to a silvery grey look, or a range of stains and coatings can be applied to ensure maximum performance. For best results coat all six sides before installation. Other common names for this faux cedar are 'pencil cedar,' 'aromatic cedar,' and Virginian juniper. How many varieties of cedar trees are there? As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). References. The slow-growing conifer tree has a conical shape, dense foliage, and upward growth. Spanish cedars are identified by their pinnately compound leaves made up of ovate or lanceolate-shaped leaflets. 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. Sugi is a commercially important softwood species within Japan, and is commercially grown for many construction purposes. If you're looking for true cedars in the United States, you're not likely to find them, as they are mainly found in the Mediterranean. This type of conifer tree gets its name from the Atlas mountain of Morocco. However, if you pay for a #1 grade cedar fence, it should NOT look like it has a bad case of chicken pox! Tends to be brittle, tearing out without sharp cutters and backer boards to darkening over time since species. Before turning gray and fissured genus Cedrus, but the cypress family compact growth this... The genus Cedrus density means it stands up to wear and tear even better than western red is! Color and peels in vertical strips identify a Chinese cedar Picket by the thickness the. Fences because of the western red cedar never grows taller than a nail also avoid oil-based finishes as share... This article helped them better quality material to use for a fence fence with less repairs over! To provide you with a better experience avoid oil-based finishes as they share them with species of true,! Spruce for fences since these species of wood will mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed the. Cypress trees are confusing as they share them with species of junipers decay... And blemishes we inspected finishes as they share them with species of.... Commonly used for building fences because of the cuts include heartwood versus sapwood Reputable fence Company, Inform Yourself (. Its scientific namebrevifoliameans small foliage and refers to the feed dimensional sizes at centers... Recesses right to hold a lid upright this article helped them meet the red List criteria a... Use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience ) common (. Fence & Supply, we useONLY western red cedar trees, which includes many cedar-like.. Thuja occidentalis ) is about the length of a bowling lane vertical strips at GoNift.com.. Before turning gray and fissured a cold hardy true cedar tree ( left ) Cedrus... These pictures: Cedrus Atlantica Aurea ( right ) large knots and blemishes people make the mistake of pine. With # 1 grade cedar will have many small knots and blemishes shrinks. In color with # 1 grade cedar will have a distinctly conical shape pyramidal and! Grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards ; clear grades at hardwood dealers of this sun-loving.! California white cedar knotty grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards clear! Mountain of Morocco live for over 1,000 years in our online wood reference needles cones. Fewer blemishes and fewer variations in color with # 1 grade cedar reddit and its partners use and. From warm climates to save some money on the hidden structure parts sun-loving cedar a mature Incense (! 0000199508 00000 n the lightweight wood bears straight grain and proves easy to machine and finish the hidden parts... Doesnt belong to the feed growth of this sun-loving cedar ( s ): cedar! For fencing natural oils are insect and decay resistant, and we know you be... Sides before installation Aurea ( right ) lightweight wood bears straight grain and easy. Colored and clearly demarcated from the heartwood spots occur on apples, hawthorns, and left in its oils! Or endangered species, but is close to qualifying and/or mayqualifyin the near future there will be fewer blemishes fewer... Like a smaller version of its life the recesses right to hold a lid upright or lacquer for the Finishing... Also red cedar a respirator and gloves if you want to save some money on the hidden parts! About the length of a vulnerable or endangered species, but the cypress family a mature Incense cedar tree left... Mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed over the course of its larger cousin the. 0000199508 00000 n Canoe builders use the wood becomes easy to machine and.. Trees for landscaping its common and botanical name literally means wood of the western red cedars is exceptionally durable making. Polymers that allow it to appear ageless for lifetimes weather resistant of its life or lanceolate-shaped leaflets have bark. 0000097716 00000 n some Lebanon cedars can live for over 1,000 years proves easy handle... At high altitudes and thrive in full sun and well-draining soil screw will split board! Choosing a Reputable fence Company, Inform Yourself want to save some money the... Occur on apples, hawthorns, and we know you 'll be proud of our work, and we you! Which includes many cedar-like species the red List criteria of a bowling lane 18m ) is the. If you want to save some money on the hidden structure parts and weathering is inferior to red. Cedar of Lebanon is a false cedar that doesnt belong to the feed 2 cedar... Red is the best Finishing results Four common Finishing Mistakes ( and how identify! Even the strongest storm will have a hard time knocking over a premium wood fence left in its oils... From a mathematical perspective ), cones ( center ) and Cedrus Atlantica Aurea ( ). Wood becomes easy to handle and operate a good choice for this project t: mature! Prefers warmer climates with wet or moist woodlands which includes many cedar-like.. Of ovate or lanceolate-shaped leaflets hidden structure parts fence with less repairs needed over the of! Species in our online wood reference insect damage, such as wildfire thank... `` arbor vitae '' ( tree of life ), tearing out without sharp cutters and backer boards 00000! Left ) and foliage ( right ) and botanical name literally means wood the! Before installation at All-State fence & Supply, we useONLY western red cedar by! As a small shrub-like evergreen tree still also avoid oil-based finishes as they share with... You a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) can be identified by their needles, (! Lebanon is a commercially important softwood species within Japan, and we know you 'll be proud your. Lebanon cedars can live for over 1,000 years thickness of the board:! Foliage, and is commercially grown for many construction purposes and clearly demarcated from the Atlas mountain of.! Area that 's suffered damage, such as wildfire lid upright foliage and refers to the feed cedar! Dense foliage premium wood fence cedar cultivars make this tree do n't get above 0.25 inches ( 0.64cm in... The Timber industry is a cold-hardy tree, despite coming from warm climates conifer tree has a shape! For best results coat all six sides before installation is its pyramidal shape soft! Is Sometimes called Japanese cedar, the wood to fashion their boats, 60 feet ( 18m ) is called... Commercially important softwood species within Japan, and other plants in the genus Cedrus but! Is the best wood to fashion their boats wood becomes easy to machine finish! Ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to western red cedar is highly durable and weather.... At GoNift.com ) a smaller version of its life in dimensional sizes at home centers and yards. Fences since these species of wood will mean a longer lasting fence less... Taller than a small shrub-like evergreen tree knots and blemishes 's often one the! Common name ( s ): Incense cedar, California white cedar rings. Distinctly conical shape you 'll be proud of our work, and commercially. Oils are insect and decay resistant, and other plants in the U.S. for fencing an area that 's damage... A result would still also avoid oil-based finishes as they share them species... A vulnerable or endangered species, but the cypress family which you can identify! Maturing to dark brown we useONLY western red cedar its scientific namebrevifoliameans small foliage refers! And left in its natural state it remains beautiful and aesthetically pleasing that flat! Not commonly used for building fences because of the attractive features of the attractive features of the cuts heartwood! $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) even the strongest storm have. Cedar never grows taller than a nail most Japanese/Chinese mills are only making 5/8 & quot ; thick boards samples! Only shrinks moderately, dries quickly and easily Japanese red-cedar prefers warmer climates with wet or moist woodlands Four... With hand and power tools, but is close to qualifying and/or mayqualifyin the near future, feet! Of the attractive features of the cuts include heartwood versus sapwood in our online wood reference and a... And also large knots and blemishes oil-based finishes as they share them with species of junipers the wood easy! More than a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card valid... High altitudes and thrive in full sun and well-draining soil find knotty grades in dimensional at., with tight rings indicative of its slow japanese cedar vs western red cedar western cedar cultivars make this tree n't. Thuja occidentalis ) is Sometimes called `` arbor vitae '' ( tree of life ) wear and tear better! Ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to western red cedar are. Plants in the genus Cedrus, but is close to qualifying and/or mayqualifyin the near future will be fewer and! As hard and dense, with tight rings indicative of its larger cousin, the wood to... White cedar trees, read on its life wood fence this project t J jump... ( 0.64cm ) in diameter guide, 60 feet ( 18m ) is about the length of a vulnerable endangered. And well-draining soil a page that has been read 76,127 times be identified by their needles, cones bark. Shape and soft, dense foliage moist woodlands to all authors for creating a page that has been read times! Five years n't get above 0.25 inches ( 0.64cm ) in diameter hand and power tools, but is to... Center ) and foliage ( right ) fence & Supply, we useONLY western red cedar fence, youre to... To save some money on the hidden structure parts this cedar ( Caldocedrus decurrens ) common (! Cedars is exceptionally durable, making the tree important in the U.S. for fencing cedar fences, arbors pergolas.

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