Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar is the default choice for anything outdoors in North America: decking, siding, fencing, garden furniture. Its natural rot and insect resistance is exceptional for a wood this soft and affordable. The softness is the trade-off — it dents and dings in service, so it's not ideal for tabletops or high-traffic surfaces. Two practical notes: always use stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners (iron reacts with tannins and leaves black stains), and use water-based finishes (the oils can inhibit oil-based products). The dust is a significant allergen — more so than most species.
- Using steel fasteners outdoors — tannins react with iron and leave permanent black staining
- Applying oil-based finishes without testing — the natural oils can prevent proper curing
- Skipping a respirator — plicatic acid in the dust is a genuine sensitizer
Heartwood ranges from pinkish-brown to reddish-brown to deep chocolate, sometimes with purple tones. Sapwood is nearly white. Color fades to silver-grey on exposure without finish; oils and stains restore the color.
Extremely easy to work — cuts like butter with any sharp tool. Very soft, so dents easily and sharp tools prevent tear-out. Natural tannins can react with iron and cause black staining: use stainless or galvanized fasteners outdoors. The oils that give it rot resistance can inhibit oil-based finishes; water-based products work better.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Widely available |
| Europe | Regional / select dealers |
| South America | Rare / not commonly imported |
| Australia/NZ | Regional / select dealers |
| Asia | Regional / select dealers |
| Africa | Rare / not commonly imported |