In Canada, this tree is confined to British Columbia, being found on the Pacific coast as far north as Alaska, and in the valleys of the interior wet belt. One of the largest trees of the Pacific region, it grows singly or in scattered patches, never in pure stands of any extent.


The sapwood is thin with a light yellow tinge. The heartwood varies in color from light straw to pinkish red to deep, rich brown. The wood is straight-grained and non-porous. It has a distinctive aromatic odor.


The wood is one of the lightest in weight of all the commercially important coniferous species. It is a soft wood of moderate strength but with excellent weather-resistant properties. The heartwood, which contains large amounts of extractives, is classified as highly resistant to decay.


Western Red Cedar dries readily with very little shrinkage and exhibits exceptional dimensional stability in service. It has excellent working qualities and machines to a smooth, satiny finish. Completely non-resinous, it has good gluing properties, low to moderate nail and screw holding ability, and takes paints and stains well.


Density (air dry average): 380 kg/cubic meters
Specific gravity (oven dry average): 0.34
Modulus of elasticity: 8270 MPa
Modulus of rupture: 53.8 MPa