The cedar we use for most clients is called Aromatic Cedar. Aromatic Cedar is very appealing in both sight and scent and is great for use in closets and chests.
What is Aromatic Cedar?
Aromatic Cedar, also referred to as Red Cedar, is a unique species of American wood that is fast growing and abundant. The primary area where Aromatic Cedar is grown is in the Ozark Mountain Range.
The wood is used in outdoor woodworking applications (like outdoor furniture, fence posts, and birdhouses) as well as in closets, chests, and carvings because of the strong rot and bug resisting properties it possesses.
Why Chose Aromatic Cedar?
Aromatic Cedar, as with other Cedar species, are known for having strong rot and bug resistance. This makes it a great, long lasting choice for many different uses.
Aromatic Cedar has a distinct and easily noticeable scent that is great at repelling moths and other insects, which is why it’s frequently used in closets, chests, and other furniture where linens, clothing, etc. are stored.
Aromatic Cedar in Woodworking
Cedar is a very soft wood by nature, therefor needing special attention so not to dent the project at hand. Cedar, being a type of coniferous tree has sap, known as “pitch” in woodworking. Pitch can build up on tooling such as router bits, blades, planer and jointer knives and moulder tooling, causing the carbide to dull unusually fast. Pitch is also very flammable, so the operator must watch close so not to get too much build up and dust.
Cedar being a softwood also has a tendency to warp and twist in the drying process, because its grain is so susceptible to moisture. Having worked with cedar many times, we have watched completed projects acquire large checks and cracks days after completion, simply because the wood dries out and moves.
Cedar is not a good structural wood, because of its weak grain and the pitch pockets. It develops fractures and faults that will surely fail given enough time. However, despite its downfalls, cedar does look appealing to the eye.
In the heart of the Northwoods, we find ourselves using cedar for many cabin furniture pieces, frames, chests and closets.
Contact us today to get started on your own custom woodworking project using aromatic cedar.