The Magic of Western Cedar Furniture

Which of the following does not accurately describe the Western Red Cedar: western, red, or cedar?

If you guessed cedar, you are correct!

Cedars, the trees of Biblical fame, are indigenous to the mountains of the Mediterranean and the Western Himalaya…so how did they lend their name to our North American tree?

Well, cedars are noted for their special traits of having aromatically scented wood and of being decay resistance. Since the Western Red Cedar shares these qualities, it was given the name “cedar” as well even though it is not, truly, a cedar.

Background to the Western Red Cedar

Scientifically known as Thuja plicata, the Western Red Cedar mostly grows in southwestern Canada and the northwestern United States. It is an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae and the provincial tree of British Columbia. These trees like to grow in lush forests as well as swamps and enjoy the company of Douglas-fir and Western hemlock.

Growing to heights of 164-197 feet (approximately 50-65 meters) and 10 feet (approximately three meters) in trunk diameter, it's no wonder that this tree is also known as Giant Cedar or Giant Arborvitae. In fact, the biggest one on record today is the Quinault Lake Red Cedar in Aberdeen, Washington. It has a wood volume of 1640 cubic feet (500 cubic meters), a diameter of almost 20 feet (six meters), and is 174 feet (53 meters) high!

Native Americans living on the Pacific Coast of North America prized the Western Red Cedar; some tribes even referred to themselves as “People of the Red Cedar.” They were able to fashion canoes, houses, totem poles, masks, utensils, and other items from its wood.

Arboreal Aesthetics

Western Red Cedar is celebrated for its extremely fine and even grain texture as well as its satiny luster. Blessed with rich coloring which can span the spectrum of khaki browns, mellow ambers, and sienna browns, the wood, as used for Western cedar furniture, is full of depth and character.

Endowed with a warm aromatic scent, the wood is also used to line chests and closets in order to discourage moth and carpet beetle larvae. A “red cedar chest,” sealed properly, can retain its aroma for many decades.

The cedar wood furniture can easily be finished with a variety of oils, stains, and paints since it is practically free of pitch and resin. And, thankfully, it can complement any architectural design - from the contemporary to the more traditional.

Distinguished Durability

There are a few characteristics of Western Red Cedar that make it so durable. First, it is highly impermeable to liquids, which makes it both ideal for outdoor use and for indoor use where humidity levels are high. Second, its natural oily extractives and slow growth account for its excellent resistance to decay. “Thujaplicins” in the wood's heartwood account for both of these qualities, as well as the wood's unique aroma. The presence of these compounds is what makes it possible for the wood to resist fungi and insects and to retain its timeless charm.

Additionally, it is able to serve as a wonderful thermal insulator due to its unique cellular structure and can also provide sound insulation when built as walls and ceilings.

It's no surprise, then, that Western Red Cedar wood is employed extensively in siding, decking, molding, paneling, saunas, and all kinds of outdoor construction projects like pergolas, trellises, and arbors.

Western Red Cedar has something to offer every home and garden. Its characteristic colors, aroma, and durability make it an excellent investment that will remain classic and beautiful for decades.