“Cedar” can mean different things: true cedars are trees in the genus Cedrus, while western redcedar is a different tree, Thuja plicata, whose common name includes cedar. That distinction matters when you are choosing or discussing a construction material. The word alone does not identify a particular species or establish what a product is made from.
What does “cedar” mean?
In botany, true cedars belong to the genus Cedrus. The U.S. Forest Service lists four species: Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica), Cyprian cedar (C. brevifolia), Deodar cedar (C. deodara) and Cedar of Lebanon (C. libani). The Forest Service describes true cedar wood as durable and resistant to decay. U.S. Forest Service: “Cedrus – The True Cedars”
Not every tree called cedar is a Cedrus. Western redcedar is Thuja plicata, a different species. Its common name does not make it a true cedar. U.S. Forest Service: “Western Redcedar | Silvics of North America”
What is cedar used for in construction?
Western redcedar
The U.S. Forest Service records traditional uses of western redcedar that include shingles and shakes, fenceposts, poles, and wood for closets and chests. These examples establish uses of that species; they do not mean every product labelled “cedar” is western redcedar or suitable for every construction application.
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True cedars
The Forest Service characterizes true cedar wood as durable and decay resistant. That is a general description of the group, not a specification for a particular board, grade, treatment, or building assembly. The name “cedar” by itself is not enough to verify product properties or suitability for a project.
How to read a cedar reference or product description
- Look for the species. A botanical name such as Thuja plicata identifies western redcedar; Cedrus identifies a true cedar.
- Do not infer identity from the common name. “Cedar” can refer to trees in different genera, so the label alone may be ambiguous.
- Separate general wood traits from project requirements. The cited sources describe decay resistance or historical uses, not a product’s grade, dimensions, treatment, code compliance, or suitability for a specific installation.
Other meanings of “Cedar”
The word also refers to subjects unrelated to lumber. For example, Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) is an evergreen conifer native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, with clustered needles and upright barrel-shaped cones. The Woodland Trust reports that it can grow to 35 metres and describes historical timber uses as well as current disease concerns in the UK. Woodland Trust: “Cedar (Cedrus libani) – British Trees”
“Cedar” is also the name of an open-source authorization policy language and evaluation engine used in software. It is unrelated to cedar trees and wood. Cedar Policy Language Reference Guide
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