Comments: Sometimes called Japanese Cedar, the wood is in the Cupressaceae family, which includes many cedar-like species. 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. Could you ever use Sugi cedar for siding on a house? Their evergreen, bright foliage, and ornamental shape make these Thujas popular as specimen landscape trees or as a natural, living screen. Northern white cedars grow well in full sun and moist soil. The Japanese Cedar was introduced in 2021 as a pandemic alternative to be able to get fences installed right away. Japanese cedar fencing comes in two options: Flat Top and Dog Ear. However, the cedar lumber isnt ideal for furniture making. We are professionals who know exactly how to install fences so they will stick around for a long time to come. The most prominent fencing cedar in the United States and Keller TX is Western Red Cedar. The scales fall off when the cone matures. Cedar is dimensionally very stable in service. They have a blue/purple hue and are smooth before maturity. Anyone have guidance for me? This false cedar tree is very drought resistant and thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. For example, western red cedars have a reddish hue to their bark and cones, which gives them their name. Leaves can be yellow-green or dark green. Low density and light weight make it easy to cut and shape using hand or power tools. These are generally smaller and their leaves protrude from 4 sides of the stem as opposed to 2 with the western reds. Common Uses: Siding, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding, and small specialty items. Another way to identify cedars is by their enormous heightgrowing up to 160 ft. (50 m). From making your yard feel more comfortable, to giving your property more privacy. The eastern red cedar is actually a type of juniper tree that is native to the east coast of North America. The leaves are small and scale-like, and they often have 3 points on the end. It is often found in moist forests that have deep, rich, well-drained soil. 0000063072 00000 n [1] Clear cedar, which is a higher grade than #1, comes from the heart (center) of the tree and has no knots and few blemishes. See my page on donating wood samples for more info. You can identify this cedar by its horizontal branches. Northern white cedar resists decay and insect infestation like its western red cousin, making it similarly suitable for outdoor projects, such as shingles, posts, and decking. Sure, you may save a few bucks with the cheaper quote but construction methods are changed when using japanese, which results in more movement than necessary. Redwood has more tannin than cedar so it may be a little bit more rot resistant than redwood. 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). Privacy policy. The barrel-shaped cones have smooth scales and are shorter than other cedarsyellow before maturing to dark brown. True cedars are types of evergreen trees that keep their leaves all year round. Expert Interview. Reply SnobbyDobby Additional comment actions Expert here. Real cedar wood is very waterproof and when submerge in water it increases in hardness. How can one wood be so versatile? Both western red cedars and eastern white cedars are cold-tolerant trees that adapt to various growing conditions. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. Because the leaves form opposite pairs, it creates a flat structure, almost like a lattice. Sources: Find knotty grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards; clear grades at hardwood dealers. The Japanese Red-Cedar is an irregular evergreen conifer with tiered horizontal branching. 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. There are several types of cedar trees, but true cedars are usually found in the Mediterranean, like Northern Africa, Turkey, Northern India, and Cyprus. the leaves are . The wood machines beautifully, glues and stains well, and develops a satiny sheen. Also called the Atlanta cedars, these cedars are suitable for planting in large backyards. Western red cedar is a very tall conifer tree (left) but dwarf cultivars are available too such as Thuja plicata Green Giant (left). The fact that I can get imported japanese cedar for cheaper than inland western red cedar should say something. It's made up of strong PVC compounds that contribute to fencing being able to endure forever and be everlasting. And hello- a screw will split the board MORE than a nail. 0000199508 00000 n Libocedrus decurrens) Distribution: Western North America (primarily California) Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter. 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. 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. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. The wood is light weight (24 lbs per cu ft or 385 kg/cu m) and therefore is not exceptionally strong. {"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":"