Incense Cedar vs Western Red Cedar: Identification of Incense Cedar and Western Red Cedar

Incense Cedar is a species of conifer native to Western North America. It is also called white cedar. Incense is a slow-growing plant. So it takes time to become a tall coniferous tree. Its tree varies in length from 40 to 60 meters. Incense-cedar has dark red / brown bark, with dark green leaves. It also gives yellow flowers once a year.

Incense-cedar has straight grain and medium to a fine uniform texture. So it is a great option to make siding, chests, and various exterior furniture applications. 

Western red cedar also called Western Arborvitae, native to the pacific coast of North America. Its tree is pyramid-shaped and the length of the tree varies from 50 to 60 m. It has a straight grain and a fine texture. 

This is a very good rot-resistant wood species. So it is perfect for external applications. There is less effect of bad weather, dust, and other harmful elements. Both(Incense Cedar and Western Red Cedar) are members of the Cedar family.

#	Incense Cedar	Western Red Cedar
Scientific name:	Calocedrus decurrens	Thuja plicata
Tree Size:	40–60 m (130–195 ft), 3–5 ft (1–1.5 m) trunk diameter.	50-60 m (165-200 ft) tall, 7-13 ft (2-4 m) trunk diameter.
Janka Hardness:	470 lbf (2,090 N)	350 lbf (1,560 N)
Color:	Light to medium reddish-brown.	Reddish to pinkish brown.
Workability:	Easy to work.	Easy to work.
Rot Resistance:	Good rot resistance.	Good rot resistance.
Prices:	It is less expensive compared to Western Red Cedar.	It is more expensive compared to Incense Cedar.
Uses:	Pencils, Venetian blinds, fence posts, and many more	Shingles, exterior siding, lumber, and many more.

Incense Cedar vs Western Red Cedar Uses

Incense Cedar uses

It is used to make Venetian blinds, fence posts, construction lumber, sheathing, siding, and chests. But mostly used to make pencils. Because of its softness. Due to having enough softwood, its cutting and curving can be done easily. So that it is easy to make small wood art.

Western Red Cedar Uses

Western Redcedar has strongly aromatic and natural rot resistance properties. Due to its aromatic properties, it is used to make clothes storage. 

Western red cedar is a strong and highly durable wood species. So it’s the best wood to make Shingles, exterior siding and lumber, boatbuilding, boxes, crates, and musical instruments.

Incense Cedar vs Western Red Cedar Color

Incense-cedar and western red cedar differ in color between heartwood and sapwood. Sapwood is the outer layer of wood of trees and heartwood is the center part of the wood tree.

Incense Cedar Color

The heartwood color of incense is light to medium reddish-brown and the color of sapwood is light tan to off-white.

Western Red Cedar Color

The heartwood color of western red cedar is reddish to pinkish-brown and the color of sapwood is pale yellowish-white.

Western Red Cedar vs Incense Cedar Hardness 

Western Red Cedar hardness 

It has 350 lbf (1,560 N) hardness and it is very softwood. The dry wood weighs 23 lbs / ft3 (370 kg / m3). Due it has low density.

Incense Cedar hardness 

Its hardness is 470 lbf (2,090 N). Which is more than Western Redcedar. Due to its high density, Its dried weight is 24 lbs / ft3 (385 kg / m3).

Incense-cedar vs western red cedar identification

To identify Incense-cedar and western red cedar,  First, we need to know the color and grain pattern of this wood species.

1. Both have straight grains. But incense cedar has medium to the fine uniform texture while Western Redcedar has medium to coarse texture.
2. The heartwood color of Western Redcedar is reddish to pinkish-brown. While the color of Incense Cedar is light to medium reddish-brown.
3. Western Redcedar is aromatic while Incense Cedar does not have any such properties.
4. The average Dried Weight of Incense Cedar is (385 kg / m3). While Western Redcedar has (370 kg / m3)