japanese cedar vs western red cedar

Phone: 806-655-5700 The Japanese red-cedar prefers warmer climates with wet or moist woodlands. 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. The incense cedar tree can be identified by its foliage that stays as flattened vertical sprays. For pickets - Japanese is decent. They dont grow to more than 40 ft. (12 m) tall in garden landscapes and are ideal for full sun and hot, arid conditions. Some Fence Companies Might Try To Increase Their Profit By Using Inferior Wood. They are a monoecious species which reproduce via wind-based pollen and seed dispersal. The leaves are often used to make incense. There are many species of conifers that have the common name cedar but are not true cedars. Its common and botanical name literally means wood of the gods. Deodar cedars are fast-growing, large evergreen conifer trees that have a distinctly conical shape. Thebest wood for a fence will need to be sturdy enough to withstand elements and a bit of impact. This member of the cypress family grows from southern Alaska through northern California and in the Rocky Mountains. Spruce is typically a five to eight-year entry-level fence. 2. Would you need to treat first? It is believed that the Japanese Cedar has a lot of the same properties of Western Red Cedar. Western Red Cedar continues to prove itself to be the ideal choice for fences and other outdoor structures. Some fence companies will charge you a higher price for #1 Grade Western Red Cedar, but will install #2 Grade Western Red Cedar instead, or worse, a type of wood that is not Western Red Cedar, in order to make a higher profit while hoping that you wont be able to tell the difference. I am building a Sauna and was trying to find of Sugi would be a good as Western Red for the interior of the Sauna? Rot Resistance:Rated as moderately durable to durable; moderateinsect/borer resistance. From our experience, we believe that if you get it off the ground and installed with a metal post, it could be possible to get 15-20 years out of it. https://sciencetrends.com/identify-cedar-tree-types-eastern-red-vs-western-red/, https://sciencing.com/juniper-trees-called-cedar-trees-6638095.html, https://oregonstate.edu/trees/conifer_genera/true_cedar.html, http://www.livius.org/articles/misc/cedar/, https://sciencing.com/cedar-tree-identification-5378794.html, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/eastern_redcedar.html, http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/handbooks_guides/forest_trees/pdf/eastern_redcedar.pdf, https://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark-item/eastern-red-cedar-berries, http://www.bluebulbprojects.com/measureofthings/results.php?comp=length&unit=ft&amt=60&sort=pr&p=1, http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/handbooks_guides/forest_trees/pdf/atlantic_white_cedar.pdf, https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_chth2.pdf. Common Uses:Siding, paneling, furniture, fences, boatbuilding, and small specialty items. Used by many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese Cedar is not actually cedar, it is a fir. Many people make the mistake of buying pine or spruce for fences since these species of wood are common and affordable. Low density and light weight make it easy to cut and shape using hand or power tools. However, these types of wood need to be treated in various ways to repel water and insects. The wood tends to be brittle, tearing out without sharp cutters and backer boards. The Japanese red-cedar, otherwise called the "Japanese sugi pine" - known to the Japanese as Sugi - is a large evergreen tree which is native to Japan, can reach up to 70 m in height, and can reach trunk diameters of 4m. Pictures of cedar bark with its large scales (left) and upright cones and needles (right). $4 to $6 per board foot (clear 4/4 S2S stock). Chinese Cedar-Used by many fence companies because of its lower cost, Chinese Cedar is not actually cedar, it is a fir. As a guide, 60 feet (18m) is about the length of a bowling lane. 0000003320 00000 n We are proud of our work, and we know you'll be proud of your property as a result. Quick facts Cedar-apple rust and related rust fungi need plants from two plant families to complete their life cycle; Cupressaceae family (eastern red cedar and other junipers) and Rosaceae (apple, hawthorn, serviceberry). Average Dried Weight: 24 lbs/ft 3 (385 kg/m 3) A Better Fence Company specializes in new wood fences, wrought iron metal fences, fence replacement, ranch style fences, driveway gates, handrails, balcony railings, chain link fences, patio covers, arbors & pergolas. Most of its thin white sapwood (which has little decay resistance) gets milled away during lumber processing. Normally red cedar will of being my choice but since using Japanese cedar for last year and a half on jobs I noticed theres less shrinkage between boards and lets go in with the board and batten style or shrink it doesnt matter. Expert here. 0000003293 00000 n It's an inferior product. Can say for the western red cedar, but there is no category in the Sugi here in Japan. This false cedar is an evergreen conifer from the family Cupressaceae. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 0000025177 00000 n Cedar that is graded #1 comes from closer to theheart of the tree than #2, and has fewer and smaller knots. Sources: Find knotty grades in dimensional sizes at home centers and lumber yards; clear grades at hardwood dealers. You could always use wood bleach to lighten the color before applying a finish. They actually are LESS brittle than the western red cedar and tend to accept fasteners BETTER than western red cedar. When choosing the best wood to install your new fence with, Western Red Cedar seems to come out on top. The most common problems that cheap fences experience can include mold, rot, and termite issues. 0000188384 00000 n Spanish cedar heartwood has a pinkish to reddish-brown tone that darkens over time. I do not know if on average which type of cedar is overall more longer-lasting. When starting the fence build process, you will want to ask your contractor, if they are using Western Red Cedar or Japanese Cedar. Lebanon cedars bark is gray-brown and smooth before becoming rough as it matures. 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. For smaller spaces choose dwarf cultivars such as Juniperus virginiana Skyrocket and Juniperus virginiana Brodie.. Looking to build tabletops and counters for a small Japanese restaurant. X In its native habitat of Cyprus, the Cyprian cedar tree grows up to about 80 ft. (24 m) tall. Odor:Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like odor. 0000188853 00000 n Eastern red cedars have silvery brown bark and small reddish cones. Lean towards red cedar, the Japanese cedar is not a stable and can be a pain in the ass. You can identify a female tree by these berry-like cones. Libocedrus decurrens) Distribution: Western North America (primarily California) Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter. It is easy to identify Lebanon cedars due to their majestic tall stature. Japanese cedar fencing comes in two options: Flat Top and Dog Ear. Cedar is a rot-resistant wood, and with a stain or sealant applied I would think the difference would be minimal, and depend more on the installation job (are the pickets off the ground?) Before you choose any species, you need to consider the quality of the wood first. Western red you can slam a 16 penny nail in and no splits. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association estimates that three trees are planted for every one that is harvested, ensuring the long-term sustainability for this remarkable natural resource. References. 426 Southfork Dr True cedars in the Cedrus genus have needle clusters on woody pegs. We shadowed two experienced makers and installers of custom cabinetry to bring you simple tips and tricks that will keep your built-in projects (and your sanity) on the bubble.. Research source Donating wood samples and pictures of wood items, Fluorescence: A Secret Weapon in Wood Identification, Ash Wood: Black, White, and Everything in Between, Brazilian Rosewood, East Indian, and Other Rosewoods, Genuine Lignum Vitae and Argentine Lignum Vitae. 0000199508 00000 n Probably going to depend on the lumber quality itself. There are differences between the two cedars. Fax: 806-783-8632 Less Dimensional Stability & Prone to Mold Must be built on a 3 rail fence to limit cupping and warping of pickets. Lumber from these cedars is highly resistant to rot and, therefore, has many uses in the timber industry. The Japanese Cedar was introduced in 2021 as a pandemic alternative to be able to get fences installed right away. WRC is still the dominant cedar in the U.S. for fencing. 0000169580 00000 n Blessed with an eye for potential, David Willett looked at his dark, unfinished 112-car garage built in 1956 and saw the bones of a workshop. Knots are common. The bark on these false cedars is reddish-brown and peels easily. These factors make yellow cedars excellent specimen trees for landscaping. Im not sure who to believe. The wood is light weight (24 lbs per cu ft or 385 kg/cu m) and therefore is not exceptionally strong. 0000004332 00000 n It has very high natural decay resistance. This tree is cultivated for its timber, which is why it has been deemed economically productive. Moderate natural luster. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. This tree (Juniperus virginiana) also belongs to the cypress family. The bark has been known to be a vital food source for some moth larvae of the genus Endoclita including E. auratus, E. punctimargo and E. undulifer. Because these trees have a very limited habitat range, you're less likely to run across one. Registered Professional Biologist. Have you had the chance to notice any warping of the Japanese cedar over time as a couple others have mentioned? The timber is fragrant, weather and insect resistant, soft, strong, and has a very low density, which makes it useful for furniture making and home construction. [1] The most important two main factors that affect the quality of fence pickets is the thickness of the picket, and the environment they are shipped in and stored in. Phone: (972) 245-0640, Now that youre thinking of the main types of outdoor structures. Thanks Eric. A.: Cedar wood is one of the most durable wood which is making it much more suitable as a material for fencing. They grow from 100 to 200 feet in height and their scaly leaves fan out in 90-degree V-shapes. To help you estimate the height, think about your own height. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Had to see which one was faster, so I made two Spollettes 1" long. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. ETA: if you are in the desert, there are beautiful options other than cedar with your budget that arent suitable for most of the rest of us. It is a pyramidal and sometimes irregular evergreen conifer with tiered horizontal branching. Identification of Alaskan yellow cedars is by their dark green, flat scaly leaves growing on pendulous branches. There are only four recognised species of true cedar, all in the genus Cedrus. {"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":"