You know cedar when you smell it. Many people recognize it when they go to the pet store or the horse barn – the distinct smell of cedar shavings used for animal bedding. It’s also commonly found in closets and old chests, since the smell repels moths and other insects. That makes it a great choice for outdoor applications.

Easter Red Cedar heartwood tends to be a reddish or violet-brown. The sapwood is a pale yellow color, and can appear as streaks and stripes throughout the heartwood. Cedar has a relatively straight grain, usually with knots present – due to the typically small size of harvested trees. When sanded, cedar has a very fine, even texture. It is regarded as excellent in resistance to both decay and insect attack. So it is frequently used for fence posts used in direct ground contact with no pre-treating of the wood needed. 

Aromatic Red Cedar glues and finishes well, though in many applications, the wood is left unfinished to preserve its aromatic properties.