japanese cedar vs western red cedar

Trees grow 50' tall with 2'-diameter trunks. Copyright 20082023 Eric Meier. Another identification feature of true cedar trees is their large, barrel-like cones that grow upward on branches rather than dangle. 1-866-812-1994 Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) reigns supreme for the production of decking, siding, shingles, and outdoor structures because of its natural decay resistance, ability to repel water, and abundance. Sources: Seek out hardwood dealers for lumber, home centers for closet lining. Yellow cedar ranges in color from creamy white to sulfur yellow, with occasional dark streaks. $4 to $6 per board foot (clear 4/4 S2S stock). However, if you pay for a #1 grade cedar fence, it should NOT look like it has a bad case of chicken pox! If you had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with? These factors make yellow cedars excellent specimen trees for landscaping. For example, japanese cedar cannot be toe nailed with nails, it splits, Everytime, hence the movement. You can tell if you are looking at a yellow cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), or western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and not at a pine tree because these species dont have needles like pine or spruce trees. Otherwise, the elements would slowly eat away at them. 0000004427 00000 n Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. or lumber quality as mentioned earlier. As mentioned before, choosing the right species of wood for a fence goes beyond aesthetics alone. 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. I highly recommend them. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. The scent is a little bit like pineapple. Bow Woods (from a mathematical perspective), Four Common Finishing Mistakes (and how to avoid them). 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. When using this fence you have to put a solid stain on it because its more of hardwood and it doesnt allow the other stain types to penetrate. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The leaves generally make a flat shape, making them look a bit like ferns. Depending on the cultivar, foliage color can range from bright, golden yellow to dark, luscious green. Its needle-like leaves grow in small, dense clusters on short shoots. They have a blue/purple hue and are smooth before maturity. Our Japanese Red-Cedar won't reach the height of a full grown Red-Cedar since cultivation in the US is associated with much smaller (50-60 ft) versions. Its scientific namebrevifoliameans small foliage and refers to the short needles and compact growth of this sun-loving cedar. This tree is cultivated for its timber, which is why it has been deemed economically productive. I have planted si? The Japanese Red-Cedar is an irregular evergreen conifer with tiered horizontal branching. Japanese is more prone to warping and twisting. 0000442052 00000 n However, the pickets are thinner and less sturdy than Western Red Cedar, and have a tendency to split or break during installation. Essential cedar oils are also extracted from the trees resin. Yellow, red and western red cedar leaves are flat and fern-like in arrangement, leathery in texture and crumble easily if you rub them between your fingers. The bark of Spanish cedar is gray-brown with irregular fissured patterns on it. Wondering how this wood compares to WRC for a raised garden bed? To determine the hardness of redwood and cedar, we are using the janka hardness test. The four types of cedar trees are Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) with dark green foliage, Cyprian cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) with bluish-green needle-leaves, Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) with bright green needles and moderately large cones, and cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) with its glaucous, bluish-green foliage. You'll also see single needles in places, which indicate the newest growth on the plant. Western red cedar is a very tall conifer tree (left) but dwarf cultivars are available too such as Thuja plicata Green Giant (left). 0000188743 00000 n Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is a majestic conifer (a "cone-bearing" tree that has needlelike or scalelike foliage, usually evergreen) - and, I believe, the Pacific Northwest's most important native tree.Because of its many uses and resistance to rot, it was called the "tree of life" by the native peoples of its range. If you are told that you are getting #1 grade Western Red Cedar Pre-Stained, make sure you inspect the pickets closely when they arrive. Know the Difference Between Types of Cedar. Registered Professional Biologist. One of the reasons we're seeing more Japanese cedar right now is because there is shortages of White cedar. If you have a faade siding or interior wall siding project, and you love the beautiful and naturally durable, go with Western Red Cedar. Could you ever use Sugi cedar for siding on a house? Notice the cupping even before it's installed. 0000004181 00000 n So yes, most sugi pickets are excellent for fences in America, but they are in fact Chinese cedar pickets, is this particular cedar a good grade for fencing long term AND IS IT VERY DURABLE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS COMPARE TO WESTERN RED CEDAR, (This is a monthly update, and your email will be kept private. How can one wood be so versatile? Just beware of the knotty areas. They dont grow to more than 40 ft. (12 m) tall in garden landscapes and are ideal for full sun and hot, arid conditions. Phone: 806-799-3729 Who Wins? Temperature is also shown to correlate with growth onset but not duration, that is, warmer temperatures help the tree to start growing earlier, but they do not appear to affect how long the tree will continue growing. Your article was. One company says western red is the best and the other says Japanese cedar is grade 1 and the best. I understand you're about to spend a fortune, but as I tell my customers, material matters. Redwood - with a janka rating of 450lbs - is about 23% stronger than cedar (janka rating of 350lbs). The wood is light weight (24 lbs per cu ft or 385 kg/cu m) and therefore is not exceptionally strong. Because the leaves form opposite pairs, it creates a flat structure, almost like a lattice. It works easily with hand and power tools, but use a respirator and gloves if you experience rash and respiratory problems. 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. 0000001487 00000 n Northern white cedars are identified by their soft feathery foliage with scale-like flat leaves, creating a fan shape on branches. Fax: 432-563-1159 It's made up of strong PVC compounds that contribute to fencing being able to endure forever and be everlasting. Expert Interview. Hello! But contact with the sawdust can cause rashes and respiratory problems. Rot Resistance:Rated as moderately durable to durable; moderateinsect/borer resistance. Smooth and supple as butter, straighter, and they never crack or split or warp like western red cedar. After 40 years, Western Red Cedar continues to prove itself to be the ideal choice for fences and other outdoor structures. A thin band of creamy white sapwood surrounds the wood's light brown heartwood, with knots often present. Odor:Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like odor. 0000132658 00000 n Western Red Cedar is highly durable and weather resistant. 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 . To help you estimate the height, think about your own height. Check out our Tips for Choosing a Reputable Fence Company here.. Request a Free Estimate From A Better Fence Company Today! Any cedar for the interior wood be a good choice. The sapwood is almost white. % of people told us that this article helped them. How do different wood species differ when being used for fences? Also called the Atlanta cedars, these cedars are suitable for planting in large backyards. I own and operate a fence company and have installed TENS OF THOUSANDS of Japanese Cedar pickets, 2x4's, and 2x6's. A mature Deodar cedar (left) and Deodar cedar cones and its needle like leaves (right). Im finding very little about it online. 0000290351 00000 n Lets look at the identifying features of the four cedar species. The slow-growing conifer tree has a conical shape, dense foliage, and upward growth. Spanish cedars are identified by their pinnately compound leaves made up of ovate or lanceolate-shaped leaflets. Little scientific data exists, however, to show the wood repels bugs effectively. Cedar wood only shrinks moderately, dries quickly and easily. 2. Another way to tell the difference between #1 and #2 cedar is by the staining options available. With only basic woodworking skills, a tablesaw, and a few simple tools, you can make custom cabinets for your home or shop. Comments: Sometimes called Japanese Cedar, the wood is in the Cupressaceae family, which includes many cedar-like species. Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). It varies in elevation from sealevel to over 1,000 meters. Scientific Name: Calocedrus decurrens (syn. Don't plant one. Eastern red cedars have silvery brown bark and small reddish cones. 0000002630 00000 n The type of wood you choose also has a lot to do with the durability of your fence. Cedar trees are large evergreen conifers that have needle-like leaves that are arranged spirally on scented woody branches. Leaves can be yellow-green or dark green. These trees also have distinctive cones that are small and grow in clusters. 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. Japanese cedar fencing comes in two options: Flat Top and Dog Ear. {"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":"