Eastern Red Cedar Vs Western Red Cedar For Fence

The western red cedar is also quite long lived with some members of the species living more than 900 years.

Eastern red cedar vs western red cedar for fence.

At a better fence company we use only western red cedar for our cedar fences arbors and pergolas. 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. In that case red cedar would be more local. Both white cedar and red cedar can air dry easily.

Western red cedar. The wood is light weight 21 lbs per cu ft or 335 kg cu m and so is weaker than red cedar by a considerable amount. Unfortunately this resin in not inherent in eastern white cedar. The latin name for western red cedar is thuja plicata thuja is the name of the resin that produces that distinct aroma of the red cedar.

The main differences between white cedar and red cedar are in terms of durability and strength. Red cedar is slightly stronger than white cedar fence. Alaskan yellow cedar per square foot depending on the style of custom home you build. Note that this cost benefit analysis would change if you were building a fence on the west coast instead.

When it s an eastern redcedar. This is a naturally occurring resin that not only prolongs the life of the western red but enhances its durability. This chart compares the average cost of western red cedar vs. This plant is actually a juniper as its botanical name juniperus virginiana indicates true cedars belong to the cedrus genus and are not native to this country.

Not all types of cedar are created equal however. The name is a misnomer. Sources are inconsistent on the treatment of the common name variously referring to it as eastern red cedar two words eastern. Eastern and western red cedar are rated as highly durable by the university with eastern red cedar having a lifespan of more than 30 years.

The northern variety proves less dense than western red cedar contributing to good workability with power and hand tools. Western red cedar contains natural tannin oils that protect it from weathering rotting decay and termite damage. Eastern white cedar is a close relative of western red cedar genetically speaking. In addition white cedar and red cedar can absorb paints and oils without any problem.

These fences look extremely beautiful. However the white cedar tree is much smaller and so the lumber is quite knotty compared to the very clear lumber of red cedar. When is a cedar not a cedar. Because red cedar isn t a lumber located near our area you would end up paying a lot more for a red cedar fence because of the additional shipping costs.