Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Hardness
Medium-hard; a versatile range for most furniture.
Overview
The aromatic cedar of closets and chests, its scent repels moths, and it's highly rot-resistant. Hard for a softwood, knotty, and beautifully two-toned.
Commonly built
- Cedar chests
- Closet lining
- Fence posts
- Outdoor furniture
Appearance
Vivid reddish to purplish-brown heartwood with sharply contrasting creamy white sapwood; usually full of small tight knots. Distinct aromatic scent.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Harder than most softwoods. Knotty, which can complicate machining, but works well overall. Naturally rot- and insect-resistant. The aromatic oils repel moths (closet/chest lining). Brittle, can split.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn eastern red cedar panel moves roughly 0.25 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Eastern Red Cedar move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Eastern Red Cedar?
Eastern Red Cedar has a Janka hardness of 900 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Eastern Red Cedar suitable for outdoor use?
Eastern Red Cedar stands up reasonably well outdoors, especially with a protective finish and regular maintenance.
How easy is Eastern Red Cedar to work with?
Eastern Red Cedar has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Eastern Red Cedar move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn eastern red cedar panel moves roughly 0.25 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Aromatic and often left unfinished inside chests and closets so the scent stays active, finishing the interior seals in and mutes the aroma. For visible surfaces, a light clear finish preserves color; the reddish tone fades toward brown with UV. Knotty character shows through any finish.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used eastern red cedar, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.