Port Orford Cedar
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
A fragrant, fine-grained, decay-resistant cedar with exceptional stiffness, prized for arrow shafts, boatbuilding, and fine joinery. One of the best-working conifers.
Commonly built
- Arrow shafts
- Boats
- Joinery
- Storage chests
Appearance
Pale yellowish-white, very fine, even, and straight-grained, with a pleasant spicy-ginger aroma.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works superbly, fine, even, and stable with little tearout. Strong and stiff for its weight. Excellent decay resistance and aromatic. The traditional arrow-shaft wood. Glues and finishes beautifully.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn port orford cedar panel moves roughly 0.38 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 Port Orford Cedar move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Port Orford Cedar?
Port Orford Cedar has a Janka hardness of 720 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Port Orford Cedar suitable for outdoor use?
Port Orford Cedar stands up reasonably well outdoors, especially with a protective finish and regular maintenance.
How easy is Port Orford Cedar to work with?
Port Orford Cedar has Excellent workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Port Orford Cedar move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn port orford cedar panel moves roughly 0.38 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Fine, even grain takes clear finishes cleanly and holds a light exterior stain well for outdoor use. Aromatic and rot-resistant; often left with a simple clear or penetrating finish that preserves the pale color.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used port orford cedar, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.