Scientific name

Thuja plicata D. Don

Other names

English: Western Redcedar

Geographic origin

West Coast of North America

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: white
&;8226; Heartwood: from reddish to reddish brown and brown
&;8226; Fiber: Straight
&;8226; Grain: medium size
&;8226; Characteristic defects: small healthy knots

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: Low capacity of being impregnated
&;8226; Heartwood: No capable of being impregnated

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Easy and with no difficulties
&;8226; Drying process: Slow, with risk to collapse and crack formation
&;8226; Planing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Gluing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Finish: No difficulties

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity 370 kg/m3 light wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.32 % highly stable wood
- Relation between contractions 2.5% high tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 1.3 Softwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 530 kg/cm2 &;8226; Elasticity module 80,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 310 kg/cm2

Observations

It usualy has strong colour variations within a single piece.