Northern White Cedar — Identification, Uses and Properties
Thuja occidentalis Cupressaceae
Prized for its decay resistance in outdoor applications and lightweight nature in boatbuilding.
SOFTWOOD NORTH AMERICA FENCES
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Thuja occidentalis
Family
Cupressaceae
Wood type
Softwood
Local Names
Northern White Cedar (USA), Eastern Arborvitae (USA), Eastern White Cedar (Canada), Swamp Cedar (USA)
Origin Region
North America
Main End Uses
Fences · Posts · Shingles · Canoes · Outdoor furniture · Railroad ties · Paper (pulpwood) · Piles · Cabin logs · Canoe ribs
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Light brown to reddish-brown
Texture
Fine, uniform
Grain
Straight
Sapwood
Thin, nearly white
Interlocked Grain
No
Notes
Heartwood is typically light brown to reddish-brown, while the narrow sapwood is nearly white and not always clearly demarcated. The grain is straight with a fine, uniform texture and moderate natural luster. It is characterized by a distinct, mild, cedar-like aroma and is known for being extremely lightweight and soft. Often contains numerous small pin knots. Look-alike: Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides).
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Log Description
Tree height
50 – 65 ft
Tree height
15 – 20 m
Diameter
40-60 cm
Sapwood Thickness
Thin cm
Buoyancy
Floats
Diameter
15.7-23.6 in
Sapwood Thickness
Thin in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.35 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
21.8 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
320
Janka Hardness
320 lbf
Janka Hardness
1,423 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
7.2 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
4.9 %
Radial Shrinkage
2.2 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
2.2
Fibre Saturation Point
28 %
Crushing Strength
27.3 MPa
Crushing Strength
3,960 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
44.8 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
6,498 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
5,520 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
800,608 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Durable to very durableDry Wood Borers
ResistantTermites
ResistantTreatability
Extremely resistantUse Class
Class 2Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Fast
Risk Distortion
Low
Risk Case Hardening
Low
Risk Checking
Low
Risk Collapse
Low
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Low
Machining Tools
Hand and machine tools
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though its softness can cause uneven sanding between earlywood and latewood density variations.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Poor holding ability
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
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Completeness: 8.5 / 10