Thuja plicata heartwood is generally a pinkish salmon to red colour but can also be chocolate brown. The sapwood is narrow and almost white. WR Cedar is dimensionally very stable in service. Texture is fine but uneven due to the prominent growth rings. Grain is straight.

Uses and applications: WR Cedar, with its attractive appearance, is suitable for panelling and joinery. However, because the timber is soft it is subject to indentation and therefore should not be put in applications requiring a hard-wearing timber. WR Cedar is ideal for exterior cladding, provided only heartwood is used.

Physical and Mechanical Properties: WR Cedar is low density softwood. It is not a structural timber, being considerably weaker than pine. Take nails and screws well.

Galvanised fixings are recommended for exterior uses because unprotected iron nails stain the timber. Alternatives include stainless steel, silicon bronze or copper. Nail holding is poor to medium and annular grooved nails or special fasteners may be required to ensure a strong assembly.

Not suitable for applications subject to loads or surface abrasion (wear), because of its low density and softness. Subject to surface erosion from exposure to weather.

WR Cedar is easily worked. Since WR Cedar is very soft there is a risk when dressing it that the cutters may compress the softer earlywood which will later recover to produce a ridged surface. Thus sharp cutters are required. Sanding dust can be very irritant to the breathing passages so a well ventilated workshop is essential.

WR Cedar takes glue, stain and paints well.

Natural durability: WR Cedar heartwood is not ground durable. It is durable in above-ground exposure conditions and is suitable for exterior applications such as cladding. Sapwood is perishable but is fine for indoor use.

Board lengths range from 1.8m to 6m