Eastern Red Cedar is botanically classified as a softwood, despite its common name and physical properties that suggest otherwise. This classification is strictly based on the type of tree it comes from and the microscopic structure of its wood, not its density or how hard it feels. The confusion surrounding Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) stems from using “hardwood” and “softwood” as terms for physical strength, rather than as scientific descriptions.
The Defining Difference: Hardwood Versus Softwood
The distinction between hardwood and softwood is purely botanical, relating to the tree’s reproductive structure. Hardwoods come from angiosperm trees, which are flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in a fruit or shell. These trees are typically deciduous, shedding their leaves annually, and examples include oak, maple, and cherry.
Softwoods originate from gymnosperm trees, which are cone-bearing plants often called conifers. Gymnosperms produce “naked” seeds that are not enclosed. They are typically evergreen, keeping their needle-like or scale-like leaves year-round, with common examples being pine, fir, and spruce.
The most precise difference is found by examining the wood’s cellular structure under a microscope. Hardwoods possess specialized water-conducting cells known as vessel elements, which appear as distinct pores in the wood’s cross-section. These vessel elements are highly efficient for fluid transport but are absent in softwoods.
Softwoods lack vessel elements and instead rely on simpler, elongated cells called tracheids for both water conduction and structural support. This fundamental difference in cellular anatomy is the defining factor that separates all softwoods from all hardwoods, regardless of the resulting lumber’s density.
Eastern Red Cedar’s True Classification
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) falls definitively into the gymnosperm category, making it a true softwood. It is a member of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), a classification of cone-bearing, evergreen trees. The tree produces small, berry-like cones that enclose its seeds, confirming its identity as a conifer.
Applying the microscopic standard, Eastern Red Cedar wood is composed primarily of tracheids, lacking the vessel elements characteristic of angiosperms. The wood’s structure aligns perfectly with the botanical definition of softwood, even though its common name includes “cedar,” a term often associated with durable woods.
The wood’s cellular makeup confirms it is a softwood, despite the perception that all softwoods are weak or physically soft. Its inclusion in the same botanical group as pines and firs is based solely on its reproductive and cellular anatomy.
Why the Confusion Exists
The confusion about Eastern Red Cedar’s classification is primarily due to its exceptional physical properties, which defy the common, non-scientific understanding of “softwood.” The wood is surprisingly dense and hard compared to many other true softwoods, such as Western Red Cedar or white pine. With a Janka hardness rating of approximately 900 pounds-force (lbf), Eastern Red Cedar is harder than some true hardwoods, including basswood (410 lbf).
The wood is also renowned for its exceptional durability and natural resistance to rot and insects. This resistance comes from the high concentration of aromatic oils, specifically cedrene, found in the heartwood. These oils act as a natural preservative, making the wood suitable for applications like fence posts and outdoor furniture, often reserved for durable hardwoods.
The wood’s famous aromatic scent is another factor contributing to the misconception, as this strong odor is a unique trait often associated with premium woods. These qualities—high relative hardness, significant durability, and a distinct aroma—create a practical disconnect between the wood’s scientific classification as a softwood and its performance in commercial use.