The Japanese Red-Cedar is an irregular evergreen conifer with tiered horizontal branching. Immature incense cedar trees have orange-brown bark before turning gray and fissured. Look for horizontal branches growing on a multi-stemmed tree. Using this type of wood will mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed over the course of its life. We'll slice through the five most common species so you can choose the cedar that best suits your project. Expert Interview. The barrel cones grow up to 5 (13 cm) long, and the bark of Deodar cedar is gray and scaly. Spanish cedar heartwood has a pinkish to reddish-brown tone that darkens over time. 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. Lebanon cedar is a cold hardy true cedar tree which can grow very tall. Its cones emerge as green before turning to light brown as they mature. Email:sales@allstate-fence.com, Monday Friday 7:30 AM 5:30 PM Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. Their evergreen, bright foliage, and ornamental shape make these Thujas popular as specimen landscape trees or as a natural, living screen. Some of the most decorative western arborvitaes are small evergreens that dont take up much space in a back yard. Western Red Cedar dries readily with very little shrinkage and has excellent working qualities, machining to a smooth, satiny finish. The leaves are spirally arranged and curl inward towards the twing. Western red you can slam a 16 penny nail in and no splits. How do different wood species differ when being used for fences? The difference in cost usually means a difference in quality. Poplar, Cottonwood, and Aspen: Whats What? @ k>262780/t05E'i[hhd0`pZja-\S?9i>PA:F _ * 0000003258 00000 n the leaves are . This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD. Its ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to Western Red Cedar making it less suitable for fences and other outdoor structures. Responds poorly to steam bending. They keep their shape well with little maintenance and pruning. Q.: Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Surprised nobody mentioned the cost. Its scientific namebrevifoliameans small foliage and refers to the short needles and compact growth of this sun-loving cedar. Sugi is a commercially important softwood species within Japan, and is commercially grown for many construction purposes. For runners, cap and trim western red. This species of cypress can be identified by its soft green, feathery foliage and drooping branches. If youre doing a transparent stain, youre going to restain every two to three years. The seed cones from the tree are just over an inch (2.5 cm) long and are an orange-yellowish color. Cedar trees are large evergreen conifers that have needle-like leaves that are arranged spirally on scented woody branches. The needle like leaves are approximately 0.5-1 cm long while the globular seed cones are 1-2 cm in diameter and contain about 20-40 scales. 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. Used by many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese Cedar is not actually cedar, it is a fir. >rgu23j{F?+j=9cu^l:e+d_GF AU +%T"q%.7 "/`ym->}nO*k`. Atlas cedar identification is by the glaucous bluish-green clumps of needles growing on aromatic stems. Thebest wood for a fence will need to be sturdy enough to withstand elements and a bit of impact. A mature cedar tree has reddish-brown bark with long scales that are easily peeled. The cedar of Lebanon is a cold-hardy tree, despite coming from warm climates. After 40 years, Western Red Cedar continues to prove itself to be the ideal choice for fences and other outdoor structures. 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. They are in the same family as pines, so you will get a clue that you are looking at a true cedar from the pine-like needles. You'll also see single needles in places, which indicate the newest growth on the plant. The wood from Deodar cedars is prized for its durability and attractive grain. It can also be used to make weight-bearing furniture and load-bearing packing boxes too. Sources: Find knotty grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards; clear grades at hardwood dealers. References. The knots that it has are quality knots, meaning that they are less likely to fall out and become holes in your fence. In addition to the wood, the pollen of the tree is also known to be highly allergenic in Japan. Also, if you're toe nailing on fences, you have no idea how to properly install a long lasting high quality fence- take that shit back to framing homes with SPF (spruce-pine-fur for anyone not in construction). Redwood has more tannin than cedar so it may be a little bit more rot resistant than redwood. The Alaskan yellow cedar is a false cedar that doesnt belong to the genus Cedrus, but the cypress family. Thanks for any help Ali. For more tips, including how to identify Atlantic white cedar trees, read on! 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. 0000003556 00000 n I might decide to use a bar top epoxy resin to protect it. The aromatic false cedar tree grows to between 130 and 195 ft. (40 60 m) tall. Fill out the form provided below and we will contact you, or call us now, 2019 A Better Fence Company Aubrey, TX 76227 (940)220-9099 . 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. There are many species of conifers that have the common name cedar but are not true cedars. The Japanese Red Cedar is susceptible to Phytophthora root disease, Armillaria root rot, and Juniper blight. 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. 0000221763 00000 n Texas Best Fence & Patio The bark of Spanish cedar is gray-brown with irregular fissured patterns on it. Its natural oils are insect and decay resistant, and left in its natural state it remains beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. And hello- a screw will split the board MORE than a nail. Cedar that is graded #1 comes from closer to theheart of the tree than #2, and has fewer and smaller knots. They grow from 100 to 200 feet in height and their scaly leaves fan out in 90-degree V-shapes. Many people know that cedar is a type of wood that is known for being ideal for use in building outdoor structures because of its resilience and ability to withstand harsh weather. Thanks Eric. Specializing in Western Red Cedar Wood Fences We offer our customer the best and most comprehensive Western Red Cedar Grades on the market. #2 grade cedar will have many small knots and also large knots and blemishes. Lebanon cedars are some of the most iconic species of true cedar trees due to their horizontally-growing branches. Yes. A mature Deodar cedar (left) and Deodar cedar cones and its needle like leaves (right). Phone: 806-655-5700 Last Updated: April 20, 2022 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. 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 bark on these false cedars is reddish-brown and peels easily. Although the price is slightly less for Japanese cedar, there are some differences in the properties of the two woods. The Japanese red-cedar prefers warmer climates with wet or moist woodlands. At 29 lbs. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Don't plant one. 0000188743 00000 n To identify Deodar cedar trees, look for drooping branches growing on these tall conifers. 0000004427 00000 n Japanese is more prone to warping and twisting. 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. Quick facts Cedar-apple rust and related rust fungi need plants from two plant families to complete their life cycle; Cupressaceae family (eastern red cedar and other junipers) and Rosaceae (apple, hawthorn, serviceberry). Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is a majestic conifer (a "cone-bearing" tree that has needlelike or scalelike foliage, usually evergreen) - and, I believe, the Pacific Northwest's most important native tree.Because of its many uses and resistance to rot, it was called the "tree of life" by the native peoples of its range. Most Japanese/Chinese mills are only making 5/8" thick boards The samples that we inspected . Saturday 8:00 AM 1:00 PM. You can distinguish between true cedars and false cedars by looking at their evergreen needle leaves. However, if you pay for a #1 grade cedar fence, it should NOT look like it has a bad case of chicken pox! It works easily with hand and power tools, but use a respirator and gloves if you experience rash and respiratory problems. Who Wins? Choose polyurethane or lacquer for the best finishing results. Interestingly, after growth onset, the time at which growth stopped was independent of latitude. Sources: Go to hardwood dealers for boards, and woodworking catalogs for small stock. With a solid or semi-solid stain, you typically will get a five-year warranty. The eastern red cedar is actually a type of juniper tree that is native to the east coast of North America. How many of you would it take to reach the top? 0000442114 00000 n Less Dimensional Stability & Prone to Mold Must be built on a 3 rail fence to limit cupping and warping of pickets. As its common name suggests, these cypress trees are highly aromatic and native to California and northwest Mexico. The tree is fast-growing for the first 50 years before slowing down. 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. Im also interested in getting photos of completed wood projectsespecially of obscure or lesser known woods. 0000004086 00000 n 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. The soft, dense foliage makes these ornamental plants ideal as a specimen plant or for growing a privacy hedge. Like most cedars, the wood is soft, light, aromatic, and resistant to decay. $4 to $6 per board foot (clear 4/4 S2S stock). 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. It serves as the national tree of Japan and is often planted around shrines and temples. These faux cedars dont grow taller than 50 ft. (15 m). Mark was very helpful with answering questions I had, was very accommodating with changes I needed to make to the original quote. Though categorized as a softwood, Alaskan Yellow Cedar is exceptionally dense. Fax: 806-783-8632 Leaves can be yellow-green or dark green. Then eastern white if you want to save some money on the hidden structure parts. I have planted si? Donating wood samples and pictures of wood itemsIf youve got a new or unusual wood species that isnt on the site, please consider sharing it with the rest of us! The wood ranks as hard and dense, with tight rings indicative of its slow growth. 0000189028 00000 n Scientific Name: Calocedrus decurrens (syn. These trees still line the path to the temple, andare considered some of the most stately and impressive displays of trees in all of Japan. For pickets - Japanese is decent. If you had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with? 0000002094 00000 n The Japanese cedar runners are crooked as fck and will likely warp even more over time. Go with the red cedar! Both western red cedars and eastern white cedars are cold-tolerant trees that adapt to various growing conditions. Check for scale-like leaves that form finger-like extensions on 4 sides. Timber from Spanish cedar trees is high-quality and resistant to insects and decay. 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. One of the reasons we're seeing more Japanese cedar right now is because there is shortages of White cedar. It's made up of strong PVC compounds that contribute to fencing being able to endure forever and be everlasting. Eastern Red Cedar leaves are similar to Western Red Cedar in that they are scale-like and form "fingers." However, they go all around the stem, rather than just forming opposite pairs. The smaller of the two trees was cut down yesterday, and I noticed that it has fairly dark heartwood (much darker than in wester red cedar), while the sapwood is very light. Maybe you are going for a more rustic appearance, but in general, soft woods like this for tabletops isnt preferred. 426 Southfork Dr Ironwood Tree: Facts, Leaves, Flowers, Bark (Pictures) - Identification and Care, Types of Redbud Trees: Eastern, Western, Chinese, and More (Pictures), Dwarf Japanese Maples (Including Weeping): Types, Leaves (With Pictures) Identification, Wisteria Trees (Including Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree) - Pictures and Care, Types of Cedar Trees with Identification Guide (Pictures, and Name) Including False Cedar Trees, Types of Spruce Trees and Shrubs With Identification Guide, Types of Fir Trees with Identification Guide and Pictures, Types of Pine Trees with Identification Guide and Pictures. 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