Western red cedar is undoubtedly one of the most common trees in Northamerica. It is so widespread that it is found in rare enough places like at Crater lake (Oregon) where it is found about 2290 metres above sea level. Despite of its widespread growth, it is not to be confused with weeds because it is in fact a very valuable tree! Western Red Cedar is a valuable tree because of its physical properties, uses and rich history.
First of all, Western red cedar has some unique properties which make it an asset have to be on any public or private land. It is a very long lived tree. In some cases, red cedar about 1460 years old have been found. This means it can withstand the harsh Northamerican climate, instantly classifiying it amongst evergreens. It also has a unique aroma with the scent of pineapple which makes it easily identifiable. It has a natural resistance to decay so even after a 1000 years it still looks as if it were only a couple years old. It is light weight and strong which makes it an excellent choice amongst loggers as it would be easy to transport. But these unique properties are not just to appreciate the beauty of this tree but it has many uses both personal and commercial.
Western Red cedar is amongst the most useful trees in NorthAmerica. It is used to harvest timber. This timber is later on used for outdoor construction as posts and decking. Since it is naturally resistant to decay even in harsh weather, this results in to improved membrane life and longer durability. It is also used to make shingles and siding in form of shake or wooden shingle. They provide long lasting weather protection having made from an evergreen. Carpenters often use it for both heavy framing and light framing. Some of the specially framed shear walls help buildings meet the requirements of wind and earthquake engineering. Also, it is used in musical instruments as it's strength and warm sound makes it a good choice for guitar soundboards. Finally,...