Is Eastern Red Cedar A Hardwood Or Softwood

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Is eastern red cedar a hardwood or softwood.

Red cedar was commonly used for building fence. Wikimedia commons the reason why we have included this wood in our list of softwoods is that people tend to consider cedar as hardwood but no it is a softwood. A cedar is a conifer therefore is classified as a softwood. Domestic hardwood lumber species available.

In tree form it is more commonly called eastern redcedar while the wood itself is usually referred to as aromatic red cedar. The actual hardness or density of the wood has little to do with the classification. Even though it is categorized as a softwood red cedar is still quite sturdy and strong. Rough cut western red cedar wood.

Cost and availability although it s a softwood hardwood grading standards apply because eastern red cedar is used primarily as a cabinet wood. Spanish and yellow cedar however are hardwoods. The surfacing edging and finishing is completed by the customer or woodworker. Alder ash cherry hard maple hickory poplar red oak soft maple walnut white oak and yellow birch.

Although it s a softwood hardwood grading standards apply because eastern red cedar is used primarily as a cabinet wood. Eastern red cedar works well for trim in boats and canoes as cedar chests for closet linings jewelry boxes bookcases carvings and turnings. Red cedar is not a hardwood because it is like all cedar trees a gymnosperm tree meaning it does not flower. Types of softwood cedar cedar wood image.

This wood has a soft red brown coloration with a fine straight grain and a smattering of knots. Though eastern redcedar trees are widely distributed throughout the eastern half of the united states it is a very slow growing species and most trees harvested tend to be fairly small in diameter. But it is also quite expencive because of its slow growing nature. With that said eastern red cedar although considered a softwood has a significantly higher janka rating than the other varities and is thus stronger and more durable.

Eastern red cedar douglas fir radiata pine yellow pine. This makes red cedar a softwood. Imported hardwood lumber species available. Red cedar is a hardwood.

Softwood lumber species available. Eastern hemlock the state tree of pennsylvania is just a tad lighter at 48 50 pounds per cubic foot 775 800 kilograms per cubic meter as is eastern red cedar at about 45 52 pounds per cubic foot 700 830 kilograms per cubic meter. Eastern and western red cedar are gymnosperm trees so most cedar wood is considered softwood.