The value of red cedar is highly variable, determined by species, physical characteristics, location, and its stage in the supply chain. Determining the worth requires distinguishing between the two most common commercial types: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Western Red Cedar, native to the Pacific Northwest, is primarily valued as a premium construction material for its dimensional stability and natural decay resistance. Eastern Red Cedar, found across the eastern and central US, is often sought for its distinct aromatic properties and smaller-scale applications. The price a landowner receives for a standing tree is dramatically different from the price a consumer pays for a finished product.
Key Factors Driving Red Cedar Value
The inherent species of the tree is the primary factor establishing the wood’s baseline market value. Western Red Cedar commands a higher price in the lumber market because it grows much larger, producing long, straight, and wide boards suitable for high-end decking and siding. Conversely, Eastern Red Cedar trees are typically smaller and yield wood mainly prized for its strong, moth-repelling aroma, which directs it toward niche markets.
The physical size and age of the tree heavily influence the recoverable volume of clear lumber. Taller trees with larger diameters yield wider boards that are free of knots and other defects, significantly increasing their worth. Imperfections, such as knots, rot, “sweep” (curvature), or “shake” (separation along the growth rings), immediately lower the grade and reduce the value of the standing timber or cut log.
Calculating Timber Volume and Log Grading
The commercial value of a red cedar log is based on the estimated amount of usable lumber it contains, a quantity measured in board feet. One board foot represents a volume equivalent to a piece of wood one inch thick, one foot wide, and one foot long, or 144 cubic inches. Foresters and buyers use various log rules, which are mathematical formulas, to estimate the total number of board feet that can be sawn from a log.
Log rules (e.g., Doyle, Scribner, or International 1/4-inch rules) account for the log’s taper and the wood lost during sawing, resulting in varied volume estimates. The specific rule used in a transaction directly impacts the calculated worth; for instance, the Doyle rule often underestimates the volume of smaller logs compared to the International 1/4-inch rule. After felling, logs are physically sorted and assigned a grade based on visual characteristics, which determines their end-use and price at the mill. The highest grades, like “Clear Heart,” are essentially free of defects, while lower “Knotty” or “Utility” grades permit imperfections like larger knots and wane.
The Market Divide: Stumpage vs. Processed Lumber Prices
The price of red cedar changes dramatically as it moves through the supply chain, creating three distinct valuation points. Stumpage value, the initial price paid to the landowner for the standing tree, is the lowest value point because it excludes all harvest and transport costs. This price is often quoted per thousand board feet (MBF), and regional market demand is a significant factor in determining the final rate.
The next price point is the mill-delivered log price, which is what a sawmill pays the logger for raw logs brought to their yard. This value is substantially higher than stumpage because it includes costs for felling, skidding, and trucking. For high-quality Western Red Cedar sawlogs, this price can range from approximately $850 to over $1,500 per MBF, depending on the log’s diameter and overall quality.
The final and highest valuation is the processed lumber or retail price, paid by the consumer for finished products like decking or siding. This cost incorporates expenses for milling, drying, grading, distribution, and the retailer’s markup, often multiplying the log’s raw value many times over. The difference between the stumpage value and the retail price reflects the labor, energy, and capital investment required to transform a raw log into a refined, ready-to-use building material.
Specialty Products and Niche Markets
Beyond standard construction lumber, red cedar generates value in specialized products that utilize both high-grade and lower-grade material. The aromatic oil present in both species, particularly Eastern Red Cedar, is a source of revenue in niche markets. This wood is frequently milled into thin paneling for closet linings and chests, where the scent acts as a natural insect repellent.
Lower-grade material and mill waste (shavings and chips) are sold for aromatic mulch or animal bedding. Oils can be extracted through distillation, yielding concentrated cedar oil used in cosmetics and perfumery. Other durable, outdoor applications that utilize smaller or lower-quality logs include fence posts, garden structures, and railings, benefiting from the wood’s natural resistance to decay.