Northern white cedar is a lightweight, naturally durable softwood used for fencing, shingles, outdoor furniture, and log construction. Its pale color, fine texture, and easy workability make it useful for projects where low weight and decay resistance matter.
However, it is also very soft. It can dent easily and does not hold screws as securely as many denser woods. Choosing it successfully means understanding both its advantages and its limitations.
This guide explains how to identify northern white cedar, what its wood looks like, and where it performs best.
What Is Northern White Cedar?
Northern white cedar, scientifically known as Thuja occidentalis, is an evergreen conifer native to eastern Canada and parts of the north-central and northeastern United States.
It is also called eastern white cedar, eastern arborvitae, arborvitae, and swamp cedar.
The species belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae, not the pine family. Despite its common name, it is not a true cedar in the genus Cedrus.
Northern white cedar grows in several environments, including wetlands, moist forests, and rocky limestone sites. It is also widely planted as an ornamental tree or hedge.
Northern White Cedar at a Glance
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Thuja occidentalis |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Wood type | Softwood |
| Native range | Eastern Canada and parts of the northern and eastern United States |
| Typical mature height | Often around 40–50 ft; larger trees occur |
| Heartwood color | Pale to light brown |
| Sapwood color | Nearly white |
| Grain and texture | Usually straight, with a fine, fairly even texture |
| Approximate Janka hardness | 320 lbf (1,420 N) |
| Typical air-dry weight | About 19–22 lb/ft³ |
| Natural durability | Decay-resistant heartwood |
| Common uses | Fencing, posts, shingles, outdoor furniture, cabin logs, and canoe components |
Dimensions and physical properties vary with growing conditions, moisture content, and individual trees.
Northern White Cedar Wood Color and Grain
Fresh northern white cedar usually has light brown heartwood surrounded by nearly white sapwood. It is not naturally a strongly reddish wood like aromatic eastern red cedar.
The grain is generally straight, and the texture is fine. Knots are common in many commercial boards, particularly material selected for rustic furniture and fencing.
Growth rings may be visible as slightly darker bands. Freshly worked wood also has a characteristic cedar-like scent, although the aroma should not be used as the only identification feature.
Outdoors, unfinished surfaces can gradually turn gray. That weathered color does not, by itself, mean the wood has rotted.
How to Identify a Northern White Cedar Tree
Use several features together rather than relying on a single leaf or the tree’s overall shape.
Leaves
The foliage consists of small, overlapping, scale-like leaves arranged along flattened branchlets. Together, they form fan-shaped sprays.
Mature foliage does not resemble the long needles of a pine. The leaves are generally green to yellow-green and aromatic when crushed.
Bark
The bark is thin, fibrous, and grayish to reddish brown. Older trunks develop narrow ridges and shallow furrows, with bark separating into lengthwise strips.
Observe these features without peeling bark from a living tree.
Cones
Northern white cedar produces small, elongated seed cones, approximately ⅓–½ inch long. They develop from greenish tones to brown as they mature.
These are cones, not showy flowers. The same tree bears separate pollen-producing and seed-producing cones.
Shape and Size
Young trees often have a narrow, conical form. Older trees may become irregular, with fluted trunks or multiple stems.
Landscape cultivars vary considerably. Some remain compact and rounded, while others grow upright and narrow.
For photographs and additional identification details, see NC State Extension’s northern white cedar profile.
How Fast Does Northern White Cedar Grow?
Northern white cedar is generally slow-growing, but there is no single annual growth rate that applies to every tree.
Growth depends on soil moisture, light, competition, browsing, and cultivar. A tree growing on a difficult rocky site may develop very slowly, while a well-established landscape plant can grow more quickly.
For planting projects, check the expected growth rate and mature size of the named cultivar rather than relying on a general arborvitae estimate.
Main Properties of Northern White Cedar Wood
Lightweight
Northern white cedar is among the lightest commercial North American woods. This makes boards, shingles, and finished furniture relatively easy to handle.
Low weight is especially useful for movable garden furniture and lightweight boat components.
Naturally Decay-Resistant Heartwood
The heartwood has natural resistance to decay and some insect damage. This helps explain its long use in fencing and exterior products.
However, natural resistance does not mean immunity. Sapwood, persistent dampness, damaged joints, and unsuitable construction can reduce service life.
Good Dimensional Stability
Properly dried northern white cedar has relatively low shrinkage and little tendency to warp.
It still responds to changes in moisture, so storage, installation, and allowance for movement remain important.
Low Hardness and Strength
A Janka hardness of roughly 320 lbf places it among the softer commonly used woods. It dents easily and has relatively low bending strength, stiffness, and fastener-holding ability.
The USDA Forest Service’s wood profile describes this combination of low weight, natural durability, and limited mechanical strength.
Northern White Cedar Uses
1. Fencing and Fence Posts
Fencing is one of its established uses. Rustic rails, pickets, and posts benefit from its light weight and durable heartwood.
For posts, do not assume every piece will last equally well. Heartwood content, post size, soil conditions, and drainage influence performance.
2. Shingles and Siding
Eastern white cedar shingles are widely used for exterior walls, particularly where a natural or weathered appearance suits the building.
They may be supplied unfinished or factory-finished. Follow the specific manufacturer’s installation and maintenance requirements.
Do not assume a siding shingle is approved for roofing. Roof use depends on the product, grade, and applicable building requirements.
3. Outdoor Furniture
Northern white cedar is used for garden benches, chairs, tables, and rustic seating.
Its light weight makes furniture easier to move. However, its softness means surfaces can show dents from rough handling or concentrated pressure.
Strong joints and appropriate hardware are particularly important.
4. Cabin Logs and Interior Paneling
The wood is used for cabin logs, paneling, and selected trim applications.
For structural construction, use appropriately graded material and a suitable design. Natural decay resistance does not establish load-bearing capacity.
5. Canoe Components
Northern white cedar has a history of use in traditional canoe construction, including lightweight planking and ribs.
Material selection, grain quality, and the construction method determine suitability for each component.
6. Garden and Decorative Projects
Other uses include trellises, planters, small garden structures, and decorative woodworking.
Where the wood will remain wet or touch soil, consider the exposure carefully. A clear surface sealer alone does not provide the same protection as a suitable preservative treatment.
Working With Northern White Cedar
Northern white cedar is generally easy to cut and shape with sharp tools. Its softness, however, requires a light touch.
Use clamp pads to avoid crushing the surface, and support cuts to reduce splintering. Predrill near ends where necessary and avoid overtightening screws.
Sanding can remove softer earlywood faster than the denser latewood, leaving an uneven surface. Use controlled pressure rather than trying to smooth everything with aggressive sanding.
The wood generally glues well and accepts suitable paints and stains. Test the complete finish on an offcut, especially when an even stained color is important.
Advantages of Northern White Cedar
- Low weight: Easy to transport, install, and move.
- Durable heartwood: Useful for many outdoor applications.
- Good stability: Relatively low shrinkage when properly dried.
- Easy workability: Suitable for many hand-tool and machine operations.
- Natural appearance: Pale tones and visible knots suit both simple and rustic designs.
- Efficient exterior use: Can provide durable service without requiring dense, heavy timber.
Its environmental benefits depend on sourcing, manufacturing, transport, and service life. Wood being renewable does not automatically mean every product is sustainably produced.
Disadvantages of Northern White Cedar
Easily Dented
Furniture, flooring, or other frequently contacted surfaces can show marks. A finish protects the surface but does not turn soft cedar into a hard wood.
Limited Fastener Holding
Screws and nails may loosen or strip more readily than in denser species. Joint design and hardware selection matter.
Restricted Structural Applications
It should not be selected for heavy loads or long spans simply because it performs well outdoors.
Knots and Limited Clear Sizes
Large, clear boards may be harder to obtain than smaller or knotty material. Availability varies by supplier and region.
Ongoing Care
Finished surfaces need maintenance, and unfinished products still require inspection and cleaning. “Naturally durable” does not mean maintenance-free.
Does Northern White Cedar Need Sealing?
Not every application requires a clear sealer. Some cedar products are intended to weather naturally, while others rely on a specified coating system.
If preserving the original color matters, choose a compatible exterior finish with appropriate UV protection. Pigmented finishes generally protect against color change better than clear coatings.
Before finishing, ensure the wood is clean and suitably dry. Maintain the coating according to its condition and the manufacturer’s instructions.
For unfinished exterior wood, keep joints clear of debris and address leaks or areas that remain damp. Repeatedly applying sealer will not fix poor drainage or established decay.
Northern White Cedar vs. Western Red Cedar
Both are lightweight, naturally durable softwoods, but they are different species.
| Feature | Northern White Cedar | Western Red Cedar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Thuja occidentalis | Thuja plicata |
| Typical appearance | Pale or light brown | Reddish brown with broader color variation |
| Approximate Janka hardness | 320 lbf | 350 lbf |
| Common applications | Fencing, posts, shingles, rustic furniture | Siding, decking, fencing, outdoor structures |
The small hardness difference is unlikely to determine a project’s success. Grade, board dimensions, heartwood content, and local availability are usually more useful buying considerations.
Is Northern White Cedar a Good Choice?
Northern white cedar is a good choice for lightweight furniture, fencing, shingles, and other projects that benefit from stable, naturally durable wood.
Its main limitation is softness. Choose it where low weight and weather resistance matter more than resistance to dents or high structural strength.
Before buying, confirm the species, inspect the grade and heartwood content, and select a product suited to the actual exposure. Those details will tell you more about performance than the word “cedar” alone.