Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern Red Cedar is the aromatic cedar of cedar chests and closet liners — that distinctive smell is one of woodworking's great sensory pleasures. The heartwood contains oils that genuinely deter moths, which is why it's been used for clothes storage for centuries. The reddish-purple heartwood against cream sapwood is striking enough that many woodworkers use both together for visual contrast. Harder than most people expect for a juniper, but still easy to work. The knots are part of its character — work with them, not around them.
- Expecting the aromatic protection to last forever — oils diminish over time; light sanding restores them
- Ignoring the sapwood — the heartwood/sapwood contrast is a design feature worth using
- Testing finish only on heartwood — the aromatic oils can behave differently under film finishes
Vivid reddish-purple to brick-red heartwood — one of the most saturated domestic colors. Fades to reddish-brown with age and exposure. Cream-white sapwood is strongly contrasting and often used decoratively. The heartwood-sapwood contrast is a signature of the species.
Works well with sharp tools. Knots are common and can cause tear-out. The aromatic oils that make it valuable for moth deterrence also interfere slightly with some finishes — test first. Surprisingly hard for a juniper. Good rot resistance. Often used as a liner rather than primary structural wood.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Widely available |
| Europe | Specialty importers only |
| South America | Rare / not commonly imported |
| Australia/NZ | Rare / not commonly imported |
| Asia | Rare / not commonly imported |
| Africa | Rare / not commonly imported |