Species

Eastern white cedar

(Thuja occidentalis)

Specification sheet: Eastern white cedar White cedar wood products: A natural choice!

Eastern white cedar is a slow-growing conifer, native to northeastern North America. Averaging a height of 15 to 20 metres and a diameter ranging from 40 to 90 centimetres, it can reach over 20 metres at maturity with a diameter of 120 to 150 centimetres. It has remarkable longevity and some specimens live to be 800 years old. Its wood is stable, finely textured and extremely long lasting. It offers exceptional natural resistance to insects and decay, resulting in excellent durability. Its structure makes it a very good insulating material when it comes to sound and heat. Cedar does not require any preservatives or special maintenance. It is a natural alternative to treated wood. Its pleasant fragrance makes it highly prized for interior woodwork.

White cedar qualifies in natural durability class 1 as per standard EN 350-2. No other softwood has previously obtained this rating!

Color

The sapwood is a creamy vanilla colour. The heartwood is straw yellow and may contain small knots.

Texture

Its surface is smooth with no splinters. The wood is soft, lightweight and even-grained.

Qualities

Easy to mill, resistant to splits, good nail- and screw-holding abilities; good gluing properties. Can be painted, stained or varnished. Excellent permeability. Resistant to fungi.

Common applications

Exterior siding: clapboard, boards, trim, shingles. Roof shingles. Patios, decks, verandas. Mouldings and furniture components. Outdoor or indoor furniture that is untreated, stained or painted. Doors and windows. Posts, fences and trellises. Mulch. Wharfs and boats.

Machine properties in decreasing order of the overall performance of 17 species*

Species	Rabotage bon à excellent	Sanding excellent	Boring brad point good to excellent	Boring multiple spur good to excellent	Mortising fair to excellent	Shaping fair to excellent	Turning fair to excellent	Average
Red pine	83	68	96	80	78	72	96	82
Yellow birch	89	52	98	86	56	78	100	80
Eastern white ceddar	71	94	100	68	56	60	98	78
Hard maple	69	82	98	100	38	56	100	78
Jack pine	57	84	94	76	62	58	94	75
Aspen	74	4	98	66	98	86	96	75
Tamarack	49	84	98	64	66	82	72	74
White birch	70	8	98	88	66	74	100	72
Black spruce	66	52	92	80	52	68	90	71
Eastern white pine	78	52	100	86	24	58	100	71
Soft maple	63	40	92	98	42	50	100	69
Scots pine	66	40	96	80	36	70	94	69
Norway spruce	66	74	96	56	70	58	50	67
White spruce	67	52	92	50	44	74	62	63
Balsam fir	47	54	94	62	64	52	54	61
Sugi	91	66	96	54	24	60	30	60
Hemlock	36	72	94	56	18	66	6	50

* Values are the pourcentage of tested specimens reaching the indicated performance.

Shingle Grading

The Canadian Standards Association sets the grading rules for Eastern White Cedar shingles: A (extra), B (clear), C (2nd clear) and D (utility; includes shims.). Standard length is 16 inches (406.4 mm) except for grade D.

Standard dimensions available

Thickness by width (length) in English measurement system [thickness by width (length) in metric system] Net dimensions may vary among producers.

Fencing Components

1" x 3" (3’ à 8’) [25,4 mm x 76,2 mm (0,91 m à 2,44 m)]

1" x 4" (3’ à 8’) [25,4 mm x 101,6 mm (0,91 m à 2,44 m)]

2"x 3" (8’) [50.8 mm x 76.2 mm (2,44 m)]

2" x 4" (8’) [50.8 mm x 101.6 mm (2,44 m)]

4" x 4" (6’ à 8’) [101.6 mm x 101.6 mm (1,83 m à 2,44 m)]

5" x 5" (6’ à 8’) [127 mm x 127 mm (1,83 m à 2,44 m)]

Interior and exterior cladding

1" x 3" (8’) [25,4 mm x 76,2 mm (2,44 m)]

1" x 4" (8’) [25,4 mm x 101.6 mm (2,44 m)]

Non-structural components for log houses

4" x 4" (8’ à 20’) [101,6 mm x 101,6 mm (2,44 m à 6,1 m)]

5" x 5" (8’ à 20’) [127 mm x 127 mm (2,44 m à 6,1 m)]

6" x 6" (8’ à 20) [152,4 mm x152,4 mm (2,44 m à 6,1 m)]

Decking

Thickness: 1 1/2" et 2" [38,1 mm et 50,8 mm]

Width: 6" [152,4 mm]

Length: 8’ à 12’ [2,44 m à 3,66 m]

Other dimensions produced upon request