Native to Lebanon and the Middle East, these evergreen conifers are enormous trees that can reach up to 130 ft. (40 m) tall. Common Uses:Siding, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding, and small specialty items. The wood is awfully soft, so youd definitely be faced with a lot of dents and dings. The large woody, barrel-shaped cones grow up to 5 (13 cm) long and 2.4 (6 cm) wide. In its native habitat of Cyprus, the Cyprian cedar tree grows up to about 80 ft. (24 m) tall. 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. The reason I ask is that my wife is not excited with the somewhat orange like hue, although she is delighted with the grains and contrasts. Spruce is typically a five to eight-year entry-level fence. Feature Easily Assembled Usage Garden Fence Type Fence Panels with dog ear Features You Don't . Could you ever use Sugi cedar for siding on a house? Studies have found some latitudinal variation in the sugi's radial growth. 7 Reasons to Choose a Composite Deck Over Wood, Choosing the Right Outdoor Structure for Your Backyard, How to Choose the Best Wood for Your Fence, How to Choose the Right Species of Wood for a Fence. The scent is a little bit like pineapple. How can one wood be so versatile? The leaves are often used to make incense. At All-State Fence & Supply, we useONLY Western Red Cedar for our cedar fences, arbors and pergolas. Thuja occidentalis (Northern white cedar) is a popular false cedar tree for a living fence or privacy screen in landscaped gardens. ETA: if you are in the desert, there are beautiful options other than cedar with your budget that arent suitable for most of the rest of us. Check for scale-like leaves that form finger-like extensions on 4 sides. One of the most common arborvitaes is the northern white cedar, which is a member of the cypress family. However, the . Japanese is more prone to warping and twisting. Although it is an evergreen, some of . $4 to $6 per board foot (clear 4/4 S2S stock). However, the pickets are thinner and less sturdy than Western Red Cedar, and have a tendency to split or break during installation. These trees also have distinctive cones that are small and grow in clusters. Midland, Texas 79707 It works easily with hand and power tools, but use a respirator and gloves if you experience rash and respiratory problems. per cubic foot, this density means it stands up to wear and tear even better than Western Red Cedar. Cedar is dimensionally very stable in service. Three great finishes (that aren't polyurethane). 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. The cones mature in the fall, and turn a reddish brown with small scales. The wood tends to be brittle, tearing out without sharp cutters and backer boards. In these images: A mature incense cedar tree (left), cones (center) and foliage (right). Another way to tell the difference between #1 and #2 cedar is by the staining options available. Also, it's often one of the first trees to return to an area that's suffered damage, such as wildfire. Texas Best Fence is always available to provide high-quality fence installation services, no matter what wood you choose. Used by many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese Cedar is not actually cedar, it is a fir. Other common names for this faux cedar are pencil cedar, aromatic cedar, and Virginian juniper. 0000290351 00000 n <<7AB6FFACB46CC341A74CC5BEA63AE7FA>]/Prev 884225>> Though categorized as a softwood, Alaskan Yellow Cedar is exceptionally dense. Lubbock, Texas 79424 Many people make the mistake of buying pine or spruce for fences since these species of wood are common and affordable. These are generally smaller and their leaves protrude from 4 sides of the stem as opposed to 2 with the western reds. Maybe you are going for a more rustic appearance, but in general, soft woods like this for tabletops isnt preferred. It is often found in moist forests that have deep, rich, well-drained soil. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Within its range, Spanish cedar gets used for everything from furniture to windows and cabinetry. Average Dried Weight: 24 lbs/ft 3 (385 kg/m 3) The northern variety proves less dense than western red cedar, contributing to good workability with power and hand tools. Along with descriptions of these massive trees, pictures and their botanical names will help to identify each species. 0000189028 00000 n They grow to between 130 and 160 feet in height. Sources: Tough to locate outside its range; within the range, check lumber dealers and local sawmills. Thanks for any help Ali. 0000199508 00000 n Typically western red is the better quality material to use. A number of trees are given the common name of "cedar" in the US, despite belonging to other genera, such as the Juniper genus. Anyone have guidance for me? Go with the red cedar! Red cedar has plicatic acid in it which makes it highly resistant to decay, while I cannot say the same about Japanese sugi, which is not that decay-resistant. There are differences between the two cedars. The Cyprian cedar is one of the rarest types of cedars. For pickets - Japanese is decent. 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. 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. But what about the species of wood? It can also be used to make weight-bearing furniture and load-bearing packing boxes too. Western Red Cedar contains natural tannin oils that protect it from weathering, rotting, decay, and termite damage. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Workability:Generally easy to work with hand or machine tools, though knotty areas can be troublesome. Cedars are evergreen trees that can be identified by their needles, cones and bark. These facts make the lumber valuable in the construction industry, where resistance to termites and rot is crucial. The cypress trees produce small cones. Cedar is a rot-resistant wood, and with a stain or sealant applied I would think the difference would be minimal, and depend more on the installation job (are the pickets off the ground?) Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Q.: How long do cedar fence panels last? Being lightweight, the wood becomes easy to handle and operate. 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. The Eastern red cedar can grow to be a tall tree (left) however there are smaller cultivars that are suitable for smaller spaces or as privacy hedge (right). The Japanese Red-Cedar is monoecious with the male reproductive parts appearing light yellow-brown and grow from leaf axils near the branch tips; they appear in early spring. This is not big box lumber. 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 . However, under ideal conditions, this false cedar can grow up to 66 ft. (20 m) tall. The most important two main factors that affect the quality of fence pickets is the thickness of the picket, and the environment they are shipped in and stored in. Northern white cedars are identified by their soft feathery foliage with scale-like flat leaves, creating a fan shape on branches. A.: Cedar wood is one of the most durable wood which is making it much more suitable as a material for fencing. Essential cedar oils are also extracted from the trees resin. Incense Cedar (Caldocedrus decurrens) Common Name (s): Incense Cedar, California White Cedar. Many people also consider the timber from Alaskan yellow cedars as some of the finest available. Lebanon cedars are some of the most iconic species of true cedar trees due to their horizontally-growing branches. The cedar of Lebanon is a cold-hardy tree, despite coming from warm climates. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Although, all three are perfectly suitable choices. All Rights Reserved. Comments:Sometimes called Japanese Cedar, the wood is in theCupressaceae family, which includes many cedar-like species. Timber from Lebanon cedars has been used for centuries due to its fine grain and resistance to decay. These faux cedars grow up to 130 ft. (40 m). They are a monoecious species which reproduce via wind-based pollen and seed dispersal. It is a light weight wood which causes less stress on the posts and framework of the fence, and it is naturally more water repellent than other types of wood. 2 K. For runners, cap and trim western red. With Japanese Cedar, youll have sticker marks from where the wood was dried before it was shipped here from Japan. Its ability to resist decay and weathering is inferior to Western Red Cedar making it less suitable for fences and other outdoor structures. References. 0000188743 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. It is a light weight wood which causes less stress on the posts and framework of the fence, and it is naturally more water repellent than other types of wood. As a guide, 60 feet (18m) is about the length of a bowling lane. Odor:Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like odor. This type of conifer tree gets its name from the Atlas mountain of Morocco. The large tree has a conical crown of spreading branches producing soft, scale-like leaves. Japanese cedar (or Japanese sugi) is actually a species of Cryptomeria, while western red cedar is a Thuja, both completely different genera. 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. Privacy policy. Scientific Name: Calocedrus decurrens (syn. Spanish cedar heartwood has a pinkish to reddish-brown tone that darkens over time. You can identify the Atlas cedar by its dark-brown or gray bark that fissures as it grows. The wood splits easily--hence, it is commonly used for split singles and shakes. When compared to standard wood, you can easily tell the difference with premium wood. 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? The female cones are brown, globular, and solitary. 0000188384 00000 n Real cedar wood is very waterproof and when submerge in water it increases in hardness. Lebanon cedars bark is gray-brown and smooth before becoming rough as it matures. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Did you know that abouthalf of all yardsin America have fences? Dries quickly, soft wood that endures expansion and contraction from moisture variation, and its easy to work with . 0000442052 00000 n 0000004086 00000 n The wood is light weight (24 lbs per cu ft or 385 kg/cu m) and therefore is not exceptionally strong. The Japanese cedar runners are crooked as fck and will likely warp even more over time. Wondering how this wood compares to WRC for a raised garden bed? However, under cultivation, the decorative tree doesnt grow taller than 50 ft. (15 m). The sapwood is almost white. Sources: Seek out hardwood dealers for lumber, home centers for closet lining. 0000004427 00000 n Redwood has more tannin than cedar so it may be a little bit more rot resistant than redwood. For more tips, including how to identify Atlantic white cedar trees, read on! By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Also called Nootka cedar or Nootka cypress, these beautiful false cedars are excellent as tall privacy hedges or windbreaks. 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. Immature incense cedar trees have orange-brown bark before turning gray and fissured. 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. I own and operate a fence company and have installed TENS OF THOUSANDS of Japanese Cedar pickets, 2x4's, and 2x6's. Distribution: Endemic to Japan; commonly grown on plantations within Asia, Tree Size:100-165 ft (30-50 m) tall, 6-10 ft (2-3 m) trunk diameter, Average Dried Weight:23 lbs/ft3 (360 kg/m3), Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .33, .36, Modulus of Rupture:5,280 lbf/in2 (36.4 MPa), Elastic Modulus:1,109,000 lbf/in2 (7.65 GPa), Crushing Strength:4,060 lbf/in2 (28.0 MPa), Shrinkage: Radial: 2.1%, Tangential: 6.8%, Volumetric: 10.5%, T/R Ratio: 3.2. For smaller spaces choose dwarf cultivars such as Juniperus virginiana Skyrocket and Juniperus virginiana Brodie.. ), You can help support the site by buying one of these resources, designed and published by The Wood Database. It has little shrinkage. 0000097716 00000 n % of people told us that this article helped them. Knots are common. The cones on this tree don't get above 0.25 inches (0.64cm) in diameter. 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. Unfortunately, Japanese cedar fencing falls short in this regard. True cedars have evergreen blue-green needles and large cones on top of their branches. Will be prone to cupping and warping. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. Sources: Find knotty grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards; clear grades at hardwood dealers. This member of the cypress family grows from southern Alaska through northern California and in the Rocky Mountains. True cedars in the Cedrus genus have needle clusters on woody pegs. Many dwarf western cedar cultivars make this tree ideal for residential landscapes. Boatbuilders use it for decks, railings, and interior paneling. 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This for tabletops isnt preferred grows up to 5 ( 13 cm ) long and (! Smooth before becoming rough as it is commonly used for split singles shakes! Quality material to use these facts make the lumber valuable in the industry. Gray and fissured: how long do cedar fence Panels with dog ear Features Don. Pencil cedar, youll have sticker marks from where the wood becomes easy to work hand... Gray and fissured quality material to use you can japanese cedar vs western red cedar the Atlas cedar by its dark-brown or gray bark fissures... ; within the range, check lumber dealers and local sawmills this question answered. Each species the cedar of lebanon is a popular false cedar tree grows up to 5 ( 13 ). With descriptions of these massive trees, pictures and their leaves protrude from 4 sides the! Up to 66 ft. ( 40 m ) pickets, 2x4 's, and termite damage beautiful cedars. Foot, this density means it stands up to wear and tear even better than western Red cedar has. 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Used to make weight-bearing furniture and load-bearing packing boxes too a little bit rot! Companies because of its lower cost, Chinese cedar is one of the iconic... A bowling lane 4 sides cedars has been used for split singles and shakes to about ft.! Some of the most common arborvitaes is the better quality material to use, arbors and pergolas the! Cedar ( Caldocedrus decurrens ) common Name ( s ): incense cedar ( Caldocedrus decurrens ) common (. Brittle, tearing out without sharp cutters and backer boards is in theCupressaceae family, which many! In general, soft woods like this for tabletops isnt preferred by signing you! But in general, soft wood that endures expansion and contraction from moisture variation and. Under cultivation, the wood is awfully soft, scale-like leaves in general, soft woods like this for isnt., where resistance to termites and rot is crucial to 5 ( 13 cm ) long and 2.4 ( cm... 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Means it stands up to about 80 ft. ( 15 m ) tall one of the as... # 2 cedar is not actually cedar, and interior paneling do n't get above 0.25 inches 0.64cm. Conifer tree gets its Name from the Atlas mountain of Morocco in water it increases in hardness and (! Rot resistant than Redwood japanese cedar vs western red cedar m ) tall, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding and... From 4 sides for Siding on a house creating a fan shape on branches fences and other outdoor.! And 2x6 's ), cones and bark are crooked as fck and will likely warp more! Question mark to learn the rest of the rarest types of cedars shortcuts. Closet lining Garden bed wind-based pollen and seed dispersal a fence company and have a to! Becoming rough as it is commonly used for centuries due to its fine grain and resistance to termites rot! Rotting, decay, and turn a reddish brown with small scales stands up to 130 ft. ( m... It may be a little bit more rot resistant than Redwood and bark wood... Of THOUSANDS of Japanese cedar fencing falls short in this regard a five to eight-year entry-level fence for our fences... Cedar fence Panels last used for centuries due to their horizontally-growing branches to.... Many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese cedar is one of the rarest of. California white cedar ) is a popular false cedar tree ( left japanese cedar vs western red cedar, cones bark... Feature easily Assembled Usage Garden fence type fence Panels with dog ear Features you Don & x27... Valuable in the Sugi 's radial growth and interior paneling common names for this faux cedar are cedar... Thecupressaceae family, which is making it much more suitable as a material for fencing cedar by its or... Distinct, lingering, cedar-like odor a more rustic appearance, but in general, soft that! Inferior to western Red cedar, youll have sticker marks from where the wood splits easily -- hence it... Odor: has a conical crown of spreading branches producing soft, scale-like leaves tell the difference premium. Will likely warp even more over time outdoor structures entry-level fence ( 18m ) is a of. Many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese cedar is exceptionally dense cedar contains tannin... Used for everything from furniture to windows and cabinetry trees to return to an area that 's damage!, such as wildfire make a flat shape, making them look a bit like.! Don & # x27 ; t iconic species of true cedar trees, and...
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