Is Eastern Red Cedar A Hardwood Or Softwood

Though eastern redcedar trees are widely distributed throughout the eastern half of the united states it is a very slow growing species and most trees harvested tend to be fairly small in diameter.

Is eastern red cedar a hardwood or softwood.

The material has not been machined in anyway aside from being ripped on the band saw. Imported hardwood lumber species available. Red cedar is a hardwood. With that said eastern red cedar although considered a softwood has a significantly higher janka rating than the other varities and is thus stronger and more durable.

This wood has a soft red brown coloration with a fine straight grain and a smattering of knots. A cedar is a conifer therefore is classified as a softwood. Our rough western red cedar hardwood lumber is readily available for shipment within 24 to 48 hours of placing your order depending on our workload. Eastern and western red cedar are gymnosperm trees so most cedar wood is considered softwood.

Wikimedia commons the reason why we have included this wood in our list of softwoods is that people tend to consider cedar as hardwood but no it is a softwood. The actual hardness or density of the wood has little to do with the classification. Softwood lumber species available. Rough cut western red cedar wood.

Although it s a softwood hardwood grading standards apply because eastern red cedar is used primarily as a cabinet wood. Types of softwood cedar cedar wood image. Alder ash cherry hard maple hickory poplar red oak soft maple walnut white oak and yellow birch. Board foot thickness x width x.

Red cedar is not a hardwood because it is like all cedar trees a gymnosperm tree meaning it does not flower. This makes red cedar a softwood. Even though it is categorized as a softwood red cedar is still quite sturdy and strong. Eastern red cedar works well for trim in boats and canoes as cedar chests for closet linings jewelry boxes bookcases carvings and turnings.

Eastern hemlock the state tree of pennsylvania is just a tad lighter at 48 50 pounds per cubic foot 775 800 kilograms per cubic meter as is eastern red cedar at about 45 52 pounds per cubic foot 700 830 kilograms per cubic meter. The surfacing edging and finishing is completed by the customer or woodworker. Cost and availability although it s a softwood hardwood grading standards apply because eastern red cedar is used primarily as a cabinet wood. But it is also quite expencive because of its slow growing nature.

Since clear wood is hard to come by most eastern red cedar boards carry the common grading label and a fairly inexpensive price of about 1 50 per board foot. Spanish and yellow cedar however are hardwoods. Red cedar was commonly used for building fence.