Aromatic Cedar Lumber Boards

Aromatic Cedar Lumber Boards for Sale

These boards are a good pick for many kinds of woodworkers. A new builder will like how soft and easy aromatic cedar is to cut and shape. A pro can trust it for chests, closets, and fine cabinet work. A weekend hobby builder will enjoy the smell that fills the shop the moment the saw touches the wood.

Where Aromatic Cedar Grows

Aromatic cedar is also called eastern red cedar. It is not a true cedar. It is a juniper that grows across much of the eastern and central United States. The trees are often small and twisted, so the boards tend to come in narrow widths with knots and lots of character.

Color and Grain

This wood is easy to spot. The heart is a warm red or purple-red, and the sapwood is pale cream or white. The two colors run side by side and give each board a striped, busy look. The grain is straight but full of small knots and swirls. Over time the red tones soften to a soft brown.

The smell is the big draw. Aromatic cedar gives off a sweet, spicy scent that lasts for years. Many people use it to keep closets and drawers fresh.

How Hard and Workable It Is

Aromatic cedar is a soft wood. It is light in weight and easy to saw, plane, and sand. The knots can be brittle, so sharp tools and slow cuts help you keep clean edges. Be careful, since the dust can bother some folks, so wear a mask while you work.

What People Build with It

This is the classic wood for blanket chests, hope chests, and cedar-lined closets and drawers. The scent helps keep moths away from stored clothes. Builders also use these boards for small cabinets, box lids, shelves, trim, and rustic furniture where the red and cream look stands out.

Aromatic cedar takes a bright, clear finish with very little work. A coat of oil makes the red pop and the smell stay strong, while a light sanding alone leaves a smooth, soft surface you will want to run your hand across.