43 Cedar Wood Facts: Uses, Characteristics, Disadvantages And More

Cedrus, also referred to as cedar, is a genus of coniferous trees that belongs to the Pinaceae family (subfamily Abietoideae).

Cedar tree comes from the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, although it currently grows in temperate areas worldwide. Cedar trees are grown for their attractive morphology and the fragrant, long-lasting wood they produce, which is utilized in construction and furniture.

Although cedar is not entirely waterproof, it is more water-resistant than other types of wood. Depending on the wood's properties, some woodworks better in damp settings than others.

Cedarwoods have a 15-20 year lifespan, whereas pressure-treated wood has a 10 to 15-year lifespan. As eastern and western red cedar trees are gymnosperms, most cedarwood is classified as softwood. Hardwoods, on the other hand, include Spanish and yellow cedar.

Facts About Cedar Wood

Cedar trees can survive in mountainous climates. They receive winter precipitation, mainly in the form of snow and summer drought in the Mediterranean. In contrast, they receive summer monsoon rains and sometimes winter snowfall in the western Himalayas.

Cedar trees are found at elevations ranging from 4,920-10,500 ft (1,500-3,200 m) in the Himalayas and 3,300-7,220 ft (1,000-2,200 m) in the Mediterranean.

Cedar trees are popular ornamental trees commonly grown in temperate forests climates where winter temperatures do not fall below -25 degrees C (-13 degrees F). Some Lepidoptera species use cedars as food plants, such as the pine processionary and turnip moth.

Some naturalized Cedrus species grow in the Americas, but none are native to native Americans.

The Turkish cedar tree is slightly hardier, surviving temperatures as low as -30 degrees C (-22 degree F). Extensive mortality of planted specimens can occur during harsh winters when temperatures drop below freezing.

Incense-cedar is a light to medium reddish-brown color, whereas sapwood is a light brown to white color. This cedar is straight-grained and has a nice texture. Incense Cedarwood has excellent workability.

Pencils, fence posts, and other exterior applications are made from incense-cedar wood.

Thuja occidentalis or northern white cedar or false cedar has a pale brown heartwood and white sapwood.

The cedarwood contains tiny knots, has a uniform texture, and is straight-grained.

Northern white cedar trees wood is used in the construction of fences, piles, and railroads.

Western red cedar is white, pink, brown, or yellow.

Aromatic red cedar is another name for the eastern red cedar tree. This cedar comes in many colors like violet, brown, or yellow. The eastern red cedar is straight-grained, dotted with knots.

The most common wood used in woodworking is red cedar, which grows on both the east and west coasts of the United States.

Eastern red cedar is usually easy to deal with with a hammer. Knots can make machine work challenging at times.

Fences, small wooden items, sculptures, outdoor furniture, pencils, and bows are all made from eastern red cedar wood.

The color of Spanish cedar trees ranges from pink to brown in color. They are either straight or interlocked in a shallow manner.

The yellow color of the Alaskan yellow cedar tree darkens with age when exposed to light. They are usually straight, and the texture is medium to fine. This yellow cedar is rot-resistant and extremely long-lasting.

Cedrus deodara, often known as the deodar cedar trees, Himalayan cedar trees, or deodar, is found in the Himalayan region.

The deodar cedar tree is a huge evergreen coniferous tree with a trunk up to 10 ft (3 m) diameter and a height of 131-164 ft (40-50 m). It has a conic crown and level limbs with drooping branchlets.

In the Himalayas, forests of deodar cedar trees were regarded as hallowed sanctuaries where Hindu sages resided and pondered.

Characteristics Of Cedar Wood

Cedrus trees have strong textured or rectangular shape bark and are considered aromatic. The cedar tree can attain a height of 100-132 ft (30-40 m) and sometimes 200 ft (60 m).

The cedar tree's shoots are phenotypic plasticity, with lengthy shoots forming the branch system and small shoots carrying the majority of the leaflets.

On long branches, the cedar leaves are needle-like in shape. The leaves of the cedar tree range are green in color.

Cedar trees have cylinder seed cones, similar to Abies.

The seeds cones are 2-5 in (6-12 cm) long and 1.2-3.2 in (3-8 cm) wide, green when young, and gray-brown when mature.

Similar to Abies, the seeds are 1-1.5 cm (10-15 mm) long with a 2-3 cm (20-30 mm) wing. They release a terrible-tasting resin to protect the tree from the predation of small squirrels.

Cone maturity takes a year, with fertilization taking place in the autumn season and seed development taking place the following year.

Pollen cones structure is thin ovoids that are stretched to 1.2-3.2 in (3-8 cm) and generated in the late summer season and discharge pollen in the autumn season.

Uses Of Cedar Wood

Cedar wood is typically used for its natural beauty, so it isn't hidden in the framing of a construction project. Because of its visual appeal, cedar lends itself to various applications such as fencing, decking, siding, and trim.

Cedar wood and cedar oil have an aromatic smell and are a natural moth repellent, which is why cedar is commonly used in modern-day hope chests and woolen clothing closets.

The aromatic smell of good cedar wood can last for a period of three to seven years. Cedar oil was used by ancient Egyptians.

Lebanon cedar, which are true cedars of the genus Cedrus, produce cedarwood oil by the ancients.

Some North American cedar kinds are both lightweight and durable, and relatively stable. As a result, wood shingles, which are tapered pieces of wood used to protect roofs and walls from the elements, are made from it.

Different types of cedars have a lovely color to them, but they're also resistant to bending and splitting, which makes them ideal for musical instruments. Musical instruments are made from western red cedar and yellow cedar.

Cedars can also be used for internal paneling in rooms throughout the house because of their resistance to warping.

Western red cedar is appreciated for its moisture-resistance, decay-resistance, and insect-repellent properties. This cedar is not only durable and stable, but it's also attractive, making it ideal for a variety of interior and exterior applications.

This is also relatively lightweight, making it suitable for both professional and amateur use.

Western red cedar wood is incredibly adaptable, and unlike other woods, it is not constrained by traditional hues and styles.

Disadvantages Of Cedar Wood

Cedar wood requires regular maintenance. According to some experts, if you use cedar for siding, roofing, or any other external purpose, it must be maintained once a year.

Cedar is an extremely flammable wood because of the presence of oil in it.

Chemical reactions cause cedar to change color over time. When exposed to sunlight, this process occurs very quickly. If you're using cedar for an exterior application, you should wait about two weeks. The color will quickly shift from red to gray.

Cedar is a tender wood. As a result, it is more susceptible to being scratched or dented by furniture and pet claws. You should use furniture leg pads and carpets if you have cedar flooring. The floor must be maintained on a regular basis, and polish is applied to protect it.

While cedar is common in building construction, however, many builders are unwilling to use it as a structural building material. Unlike cypress, redwood, and pressure-treated lumber, white cedar is not suitable for heavy loads.

Some cedar species are poisonous, while others species are not, depending on the types of cedar you use. More people are sensitive to red cedar than to white cedar wood.

Irritation, sensitizers, runny nostrils, harmful effect on the nervous system are all caused by western red cedar.

While Port Orford cedar causes irritants, runny noses, and kidney issues.