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UK and Canadian-Grown Cedar

The Cedar tree used in cladding (Thuja plicata) grows in many different regions of the world. Where we source your timber can affect its characteristics, with local climate and soil conditions changing the colour, knot content and durability.

The two types of Cedar we source for cladding are Canadian Western Red Cedar and British-grown Cedar.


Canadian Western Red Cedar

Canadian Western Red Cedar is the largest tree in the Cedar family, with the biggest growing up to 75 metres tall. The timber itself is darker than other varieties with a beautiful colour variation and a characteristically red hue (hence the name!). It also has fewer knots and is incredibly dense, making it super durable.

Interestingly enough, Canada also grows White Cedar trees. These are very light in colour, and are not quite as popular as Red Cedar.

British Cedar

Cedar trees which grow in the UK are noticeably lighter in colour than Canadian Western Red Cedar, with more of a creamy colour to the timber with dark brown streaks. British Cedar has more knots and is less dense than Canadian Western Red Cedar, and therefore not quite as durable. Canadian WRC is obviously more expensive, but you get a timber that is more durable and has less knots.


Cedar related insights

The origins of Cedar cladding

Over the past few years, the number of builders choosing to protect their external walls with this beautiful wood has skyrocketed! But the truth is that cedar has actually been used to create buildings for centuries. Read on to find out more.

Species in the Spotlight: Western Red Cedar

At EcoChoice, we supply plenty of different timber species from across the world, including the Western Red Cedar, a giant in the forest. Read on to find out more about this species and see if it is the right timber for your project.

Spotlight on species – Cedar (Canadian vs UK)

The Cedar tree is one of the most well known in the world. Often described as majestic, there are two types of cedar trees - true cedar trees, which belong to the Cedrus genus, and false cedars, which belong to the family Cupressaceae, otherwise known as cypress.

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