White Cedar is a small to medium Evergreen tree shaped like an arrowhead - like a pyramid with a broad base and a small top, often with several main trunks. It is also known as the eastern white-cedar, arborvitae, and swamp-cedar. The name arborvitae goes back to the 16th century when Cartier, a French explorer, learned from the Indians how to use the tree's foliage to treat scurvy. The White Cedar grows in Canada and the northern US and even in the southern Appalachians.

A northern white cedar can grow in a wide variety of organic soils, but does not develop well on extremely wet or extremely dry sites. It is found mostly in cool, moist, nutrient rich soil, particularly near streams. They can also be found in rich swamps with water containing moderately mineral rich soil. These Evergreens thrive in a relatively humid climate near the Eastern seaboard near the Atlantic.

Known as a medium sized tree, the northern white cedar on average grows to between 40 and 50 feet in height at maturity. However, it has been known to reach between 70 and 80 feet in height.  A record tree in Michigan measures 113 ft in height.  White cedars will reach a maximum age of 400 years or greater in swamps or other lowland sites.

Commercial uses of northern white cedar range from rustic fencing posts to other important products, including cabin logs, indoor and outdoor furniture, lumber, poles, and shingles.  It is also found in paneling, piling, boats (especially canoes), tanks, novelties, and woodenware.

White Cedar Furniture

• Our Northern White Cedar, natural and untreated, is grown in moist swampy NE woodlands along the eastern seaboard near the Atlantic.
  
  
• Cedar absorbs and loses moisture slowly, which minimizes the dry cracking, splintering and swelling more characteristic of oak or pine.
  
  
• Cedar has the US Forest Products Laboratory highest rating for decay and disease resistance.
  
  
• Fresh cedar odor is a mild insect repellent.
  
  
• Our cedar products are shipped in their natural color, pale tan or light gold, and are unfinished. The color changes evenly over time to a silver gray.  Water-based or oil stains will delay the weathering process.  Latex paint coats evenly and lets wood breath.
  
  
• Furniture includes durable zinc coated and stainless steel hardware. Minor assembly required (10-15 minutes).
  
  
• White Cedar develops a weathered, silver grey patina in about one year for most climates.
  
  

 

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Related Terms: White Cedar Wood, White Cedar

Date Last Updated: Last Updated: 11/16/2007 05:18 PM - ID:281