Cedarwood comes with different varieties, we know. This type of wood comes from the genre of Coniferous trees, for that it comes with needle-like leaves. Due to having such leaves, it is called evergreen fir tree. Amazingly, this type of tree grows up to hundred feets and even longer!
The best wood from this tree sometimes comes with an aromatic fragrance. Therefore, it is commonly used in soaps, lotions and any essential oils.
The rich aroma will blow your mind and also help you relieve chronic pain like headaches or migraines. Moreover, it is soothing for the sore joints. Apart from that, it has a variety of usages for furniture designs and flooring options. Once you go below and keep reading then you will know some different types of Cedars, so cheers!
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Different Types of Cedar Wood
This chapter will let you learn about each type of cedarwood & its usage. By checking out this section, you can identify a specific type of cedarwood. So, keep scrolling.
1. Deodar Cedar
Deodar Cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree. These trees derive their name from the Sanskrit word ‘devadaru’, which means woods of god. You can find this plant in the parks and large gardens for its drooping foliage.
The Deodar Cedar can grow up to 40-50 meters tall with a trunk up to 3 m in diameter. Its needle-like leaves are 2.5–5 cm long. The color of the leaves can be bright green to glaucous blue-green.
Afghanistan, Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, and India are the native birthplace of Deodar Cedar.
Uses
Due to its durability & rot-resistant character, Deodar Cedar has a high demand as a building material. Therefore, Deodar is also used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has antifungal and insect repellent properties. So, the room of Deodar Cedar is used to store meat & food grains.
| Botanical Name: | Cedrus deodara |
| Common Name: | Deodar Cedar, Himalayan Cedar |
| Plant Type | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Soil Type: | Loamy, moist, sandy, clay, well-drained |
| Soil pH: | Slightly acidic |
| Bloom Time: | Non-flowering |
| Flower Color: | Non-flowering |
| Hardiness Zones: | 7 to 9 (USDA) |
| Native Area: | Western Himalayas |
2. Atlas Cedar
Atlas Cedar is also a coniferous evergreen tree, and it’s a species of wood in the pine family. Moroccos’ Atlas Mountains is the native growing place of this tree. That’s why it’s known as Atlas Cedar.
The height of a fully grown Atlas Cedar is 30-35 m and trunk diameter is 1.5-2 m. Its silvery-blue leaves are 10-25 mm in length. Morocco is the native place of Atlas Cedar and it’s the highest total surface of this plant in the world.
Uses
Atlas Cedar is widely used for making furniture, joinery, and veneer due to its durable nature. Also, this wood is used to make clothing storage furniture due to its scent.
| Botanical Name: | Cedrus atlantica |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Height: | 30-35 m |
| Native Area: | Moroccos’ Atlas Mountains |
| Family: | Pinaceae |
3. Cyprus Cedar
As the name suggests, the Cyprus Cedar is a coniferous green tree, and it’s native to Cyprus, the birthplace of this wood. It’s one of the rarest tree species in the world as it grows in a smaller area.
The height and width of this wood are 25 m and 12 m. The color of these needle-like leaves is grey-green to mid-green. At a young age, this tree has a conical shape. But it starts broader with a flattened top as it matures.
Uses
Cyprus Cedar is high in resin that makes this wood durable and insect-resistant. So, this wood has a good popularity in the construction of ships, furniture, doors, and windows.
| Botanical Name: | Cedrus brevifolia |
| Height: | 25 m |
| Family: | Pinaceae |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Native Area: | Cyprus |
4. Cedar of Lebanon
Cedrus Libani is the botanical name of Cedar of Lebanon. It carries a great religious and historical significance in the culture of the Middle East. This large evergreen conifer is the national emblem of Lebanon. And it grows in the parks and gardens as it is an ornamental tree.
The Cedar of Lebanon can reach up to 40 m and the diameter of its trunk is 2.5 m. This cedar tree has a great fame because of its tiny leaves and crown that gives the tree an umbrella type shape. Its needle-shaped leaves grow up to 5 to 35 mm in length and 1 to 1.5 mm in width.
Uses
Cedar of Lebanon is an aromatic wood, and it has ethnobotany and pharmaceutical value. This wood is often used in construction & woodworking projects. Therefore, you can find them in the parks & gardens because of their ornamental nature.
| Botanical Name: | Cedrus libani |
| Common Name: | Cedar of Lebanon, Lebanon Cedar, Cedar-of-Lebanon |
| Plant Type | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained, sand, loam, clay, acidic |
| Soil pH | 5-8.2 |
| Hardiness Zones: | −15 °F – USDA |
| Native Area: | Middle East |
5. Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata is the scientific name of Western Red Cedar. It’s also an ornamental coniferous evergreen tree like the Deodar Cedar. This wood is native to western North America. People also call it Pacific redcedar, giant arborvitae, and western arborvitae.
Generally, Western Red Cedar is a giant tree, reaching up to 65-70 m, and the trunk diameter is 3-7 m. The outer bark is cinnamon-red or brownish, and its bark is thin, scally, and fissured. On the other hand, its inner bark is fibrous and longitudinally fissured. The tiny & scale-like leaves have white markings on the undersurface of the flat foliage sprays.
Uses
In North America, Western Red Cedar is mostly known as an ornamental & hedge tree. As this wood is resistant to moisture & decay, we find this wood to use in pilings, shingles, boat making, and posts.
| Botanical Name: | Thuja plicata |
| Common Name: | Pacific redcedar, giant arborvitae, and western arborvitae |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Height: | 60 m |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Native Area: | Western North America |
6. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern Red Cedar or Juniperus virginiana (the scientific name) is a dense & slow-growing evergreen tree. It is native to North America and locally known as eastern juniper, red juniper, and red cedar.
The height of this coniferous tree will never rise more than a bush on poor soil. But the tree is actually 5-20 m tall and the trunk width is 30-100 cm in diameter. Its reddish-brown and fibrous bark get peeled off in narrow strips. This tree has two types of leaves- needle-like juvenile leaves and scale-like mature leaves.
Uses
This fragrant & finely grained wood is long-lasting, even in contact with soil. Because of its durability, it has a high demand for making fence posts. Therefore, Eastern Red Cedar is used to make clothing closets as moths avoid this aromatic wood.
| Botanical Name: | Juniperus virginiana |
| Common Name: | Estern juniper, Red juniper, and Red ceder |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Height: | 5-20 m |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Native Area: | North America |
7. Northern White Cedar
Northern White Cedar is a slow-growing coniferous evergreen tree. It reaches up to 15 m in height. But in some areas, this tree can go up to 38 m, which is exceptional. And the trunk diameter is 0.9 m. Its red-brown & furrowed bark keeps shredding sometimes. This type of cedar tree has fan-like branches and scale-like leaves.
Uses
Like other cedarwood types, the Northern White Cedar has different uses. We can make products that come in contact with water & soil often as this wood is resistant to decay. That’s why we find it in use of construction like shingles, boat making, poles, and cabin logs.
Therefore, Native American groups use Northern White Cedar for multiple medical problems. For example, they use this cedarwood as a remedy for headaches, coughs, fever, and sores.
| Botanical Name: | Thuja occidentalis |
| Common Name: | Northern white cedar, eastern white cedar, or arborvitae |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Height: | 15 m |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Native Area: | Eastern Canada and much of the north-central and the northeastern United States |
8. Spanish Cedar
Cedrela odorata is the scientific name of Spanish Cedar. It is a commercially important and widely distributed species of tree in the chinaberry family, Meliaceae. Spanish cedar, Cuban cedar, or Cedro are the common names of this cedar tree.
This slow-growing tree can reach up to 10-30 m. The color of the fresh heartwood is dark reddish-brown or grey-brown. Its pinnately compound leaf is 15–50 cm long.
Uses
The aromatic wood has a high demand for constructing the plant. And this plant is often used for honey production. You can also find this wood as a construction material for humidor interiors. Turns out, manufacturers use this tree to make furniture, flooring, paneling, decorative veneers, and plywood.
| Botanical Name: | Cedrela odorata |
| Common Name: | Spanish cedar, Cuban cedar, or Cedro |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Height: | 10-30 m |
| Family | Meliaceae |
| Native Area: | Central & South America |
9. Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Alaskan Yellow Cedar is widely known for its solid yellow color and longevity in outdoor applications. Like other cedar trees, it is also an evergreen tree and native to the west coast of North America.
This evergreen tree typically grows in wet sites on mountains and close to the tree line. Also, it grows at lower altitudes. The height of this tree is 40 m, and the scale-like leaves can reach up to 3-5 mm.
Uses
AYC is often used for outdoor and indoor projects including patio covers, paneling, decks, trims, and more. Manufacturers also use this wood for boat building, sill plates, and bridges.
| Botanical Name: | Cupressus nootkatensis |
| Common Name: | Nootka cypress, yellow cypress, Alaska cypress, Nootka cedar, yellow cedar, and more |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen coniferous tree |
| Height: | 40 m |
| Family | Meliaceae |
| Native Area: | North America |
How To Tell If It’s Cedar Wood
Perhaps, cedarwood is the most diversified wood species in the world. You can find cedar everywhere, and there are numerous cedar types. Now, you may ask- how to identify cedar wood? Fortunately, we will highlight some hallmarks to specify the cedarwood.
- Cedar smells good. Indeed, it’s an aromatic wood. Of course, every wood has a specific odor, but the smell of cedar stays longer.
- Unlike other wood species, cedar is rot-resistant & durable. That’s why it’s often used for exterior applications.
- The cedarwood is soft & lightweight and feels cooperative when working with tools.
- Cedar is dimensionally stable, and it doesn’t shrink or swell over time like other wood species.
FAQs
Are There Different Grades Of Cedar?
Two grading systems are available for cedar- structural grade and appearance grade.
What is premium grade cedar?
A premium grade cedar is a cedar that contains 100% edge grain, 100% heartwood, and 100% clear.
How can you tell the difference between red and yellow cedar?
The branch shape of the red cedar is upward lifted. On the other hand, the yellow cedar branches droop downward.
How much is clear cedar?
Clear cedar is more expensive than other cedar types, and the price is between $7-$9 per linear foot.
How long does cedar last outside?
Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay. So, it lasts longer if you maintain it. Generally, a cedar deck can last 15-20 years depending on the environment and maintenance.
Is cedar wood better than pine?
Yes, cedarwood is better than pine. Unlike pine, cedarwood is durable and doesn’t get warped or shrink easily. On the other hand, pine has a high risk of warping, buckling, and shrinking.
Why is cedar so expensive?
Cedar is so expensive because of its longevity, attractive look, and it is easy to work with.
Conclusion
Cedar is a widely described wood type among timber lovers. We elaborated on 9 different types of cedarwood and their usage throughout this guide. Each of them is slightly different from other cedar species. But the similarity among the cedar woods is- they are durable, attractive, and easy to work with. If you have any questions about the cedarwood, let us know by leaving a comment below.