How can you tell the difference between Eastern and western red cedar?
The Eastern Red Cedar is much shorter overall than the Western Red Cedar, typically being between 16 to 66 feet tall (5 to 20 m) with a trunk between 12 to 39 inches (30 to 100 cm) in diameter. The Western Red Cedar is also quite long-lived, with some members of the species living more than 900 years.
What is the difference between Eastern red cedar and eastern white cedar?
Where their ranges overlap, both tend to be found on calcium-rich substrates, but redcedar occupies drier, sunnier, nutrient-poor, and more early-succession habitats, whereas white-cedar is found on richer, wetter, shadier sites.
Which cedar is best?
The red cedar, which is also known as western red cedar, is the preferred kind for building materials. The main reasons are its lightness, its resistance to insects, water and rot, and for its unmistakable red colour and aromatic smell.
What type of cedar is the best?
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.
Does Western red cedar turn GREY?
Left untreated, your Western Red Cedar (or Alaskan Yellow Cedar) will naturally weather to a silvery grey. Especially in coastal areas where a “beachy” look is desired or by those concerned with applying finishes, this is a beautiful, natural choice.
Which cedar is most rot resistant?
Western red cedar
Resistance to decay: Western red cedar is the most decay-resistant cedar, making it great for outdoor construction projects like shakes and shingles. It is also one of the longest-living North American softwood trees. Stability: Western red cedar has twice the stability of other softwood species.
What is the best stain color for cedar?
Rustic Cedar is a semi-solid stain color that is a great choice for cedar decks that may be a bit older. With hues of rusty red and soft natural browns, Rustic Cedar adds a coat of protection and a bit of classic color to hide slight imperfections.
Does Western Red Cedar warp?
Like all woods, Western Red Cedar is hygroscopic and will absorb or discharge moisture to attain equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. However, it has a very low shrinkage factor and is superior to all other coniferous woods in its resistance to warping, twisting and checking.
Do you need to stain Western Red Cedar?
Exterior Western Red Cedar surfaces only need to be refinished when the old coating has worn thin and no longer affords the wood protection. In refinishing painted or solid-color stained siding and trim, removal of the old coating may be required.