Red cedar and white cedar are names for different groups of trees, not two grades of the same lumber. Red cedar usually means western redcedar, while white cedar often means northern white-cedar; the best choice depends on the species available, the project, and whether appearance, durability, or cost matters most.
What the names mean
In North American lumber and gardening contexts, “red cedar” commonly refers to western redcedar (Thuja plicata), a large evergreen native to the Pacific Northwest and parts of western Canada. Despite its common name, it is not a true cedar in the genus Cedrus. “White cedar” most often refers to northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis), also called eastern arborvitae, native to eastern North America.
Common names can be inconsistent. “Red cedar” may also refer to eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), a different tree with a different botanical identity and wood characteristics. White-cedar names are used for other trees in some regions as well. If you are buying boards, shingles, poles, or plants, check the botanical or commercial species name rather than relying on the color word alone.
How to tell them apart
Western redcedar heartwood is typically reddish brown, sometimes with darker bands, and its sapwood is paler. Northern white-cedar heartwood is generally light brown to yellowish, with pale sapwood. Both can weather toward gray outdoors if left unfinished, so a faded surface is not a reliable way to identify a board.
Both species have aromatic wood and fine, generally straight grain. Their scent and exact color vary with the tree, the cut, and storage. A fresh end grain or a clear, unweathered face can be more informative than an old exterior surface, but visual identification is not foolproof. Labels from a reputable supplier are usually the practical way to confirm a lumber species.
As living trees, both have scale-like evergreen foliage arranged in flattened sprays. Northern white-cedar foliage tends to be bright green, while western redcedar foliage is often a deeper green. These broad impressions are not sufficient for identifying every cultivar or specimen; nursery labels and botanical references are more dependable.
Durability and outdoor performance
Both woods are valued for natural resistance to decay, especially the heartwood. That makes them familiar choices for outdoor applications such as siding, shingles, fencing, and garden structures. Natural resistance does not mean waterproof or immune to damage: prolonged wetness, soil contact, poor drainage, and untreated cut ends can shorten the life of either wood.
Western redcedar is widely used for exterior building products and is known for a favorable combination of low weight, workability, and durability. Northern white-cedar is also used outdoors, including for posts, fencing, and rustic structures. The precise performance of a board depends on its heartwood content, grade, thickness, detailing, and exposure—not just the species name.
For either species, design details matter. Keep boards clear of standing water where possible, allow air to circulate, and use construction methods and fasteners suitable for exterior wood. Follow the supplier’s guidance on coatings and installation. A coating may help preserve color or reduce weathering, but it cannot compensate for trapped moisture or poor drainage.
Strength, weight, and workability
Cedar lumber is relatively lightweight compared with many common construction woods, which can make it easier to handle and cut. Both species are generally workable with ordinary woodworking tools, although soft wood can dent, split, or show tool marks if handled roughly. Pre-drilling near board ends can help reduce splitting, especially when using screws.
Neither name alone tells you whether a board is suitable for a structural job. Strength varies with grade, dimensions, knots, moisture, and the way a piece is loaded. Do not substitute a visually similar cedar board for a specified structural member without checking the project requirements or getting qualified guidance. Cedar is often selected for cladding and outdoor features rather than because it is the strongest available option.
Appearance, scent, and finishing
Choose western redcedar when its warm reddish-brown tones suit the design, or northern white-cedar when a paler, more subdued look is preferred. These are tendencies, not guarantees: boards from the same species can vary, and heartwood and sapwood may appear quite different on one piece. If color consistency matters, inspect the actual stock before purchase.
Freshly cut cedar can have a noticeable natural aroma. The smell often becomes less prominent as the wood ages or is exposed to air. Finishing is a separate decision from species selection: leaving wood unfinished allows it to weather, while appropriate exterior finishes can slow color change. Test a finish on an offcut first because color and absorption vary.
Some people have sensitivities to wood dust or aromatic compounds. Use sensible dust-control practices when cutting or sanding, including ventilation and suitable protective equipment, and follow the safety instructions for the tools and finishing products in use.
Common uses
Western redcedar is commonly found in siding, shingles, decking, outdoor furniture, and other exterior applications. Northern white-cedar is used for fencing, posts, shingles, and outdoor structures, and its trees are also planted as landscape screens. Availability differs by region, so local suppliers may offer one species more readily than the other.
For a practical comparison, consider a fence. Either species may be appropriate, but the choice should account for local availability, post dimensions, ground exposure, and the construction details. A board used as a fence rail is not exposed in the same way as a post buried in soil. In a damp setting, keeping water from collecting around joints and using a suitable installation method may matter as much as the species.
Choosing between them
Start with the job rather than the color name. Compare the species, grade, dimensions, intended exposure, and supplier’s installation guidance. Then look at appearance and how much maintenance you are willing to do. For a project with a specified material, follow that specification rather than making a substitution based only on a similar look.
- For a reddish appearance: western redcedar is the usual match, though the actual color varies.
- For a lighter appearance or local supply: northern white-cedar may be a good fit.
- For outdoor use: prioritize heartwood, drainage, ventilation, and suitable detailing.
- For a structural purpose: verify grade and design suitability; species alone is not enough.
- For a tree or hedge: compare mature size, site conditions, and the exact cultivar, not just “white cedar” on a label.
Ask the seller to identify the botanical species and explain the grade or product category. For lumber, also inspect boards for excessive knots, splits, or other defects that conflict with the project. For a living tree, check the plant tag and local growing guidance: a species suited to one climate or soil may not thrive in another.
Cost and availability
There is no universal price winner. Costs change with region, product form, grade, dimensions, supply, and demand. One species may be less expensive locally because it is harvested or stocked nearby; elsewhere, the other may be easier to find. Compare equivalent products rather than comparing a premium clear board with a lower-grade board of another species.
Include the whole project when considering value. A lower-priced board may require more sorting or finishing, while a particular appearance or profile may be worth paying more for. Ask whether the quoted product is solid wood, a composite, or another material, and confirm what the price includes before making a decision.
Common problems and misconceptions
The most common mistake is assuming “cedar” guarantees rot-proof performance. Cedar’s natural durability is useful, but water management, soil contact, quality, and maintenance still matter. Another error is treating “red” and “white” as standardized lumber grades. They are common-name clues, not a substitute for species and grade information.
It is also easy to confuse a tree sold for landscaping with lumber made from a similarly named species. The eastern redcedar is not western redcedar, and northern white-cedar is not simply western redcedar with a paler color. When identification affects a purchase or project, verify the name on the product documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is red cedar better than white cedar?
Neither is always better. Western redcedar is often chosen for its color and exterior building uses; northern white-cedar may suit a project where its appearance, local availability, or product form is preferable. Compare the actual grade and intended use.
Which cedar lasts longer outdoors?
There is no reliable answer based on the common names alone. Heartwood content, exposure, drainage, installation, and upkeep all affect service life. Ask about the specific product and follow guidance for the application.
Is white cedar the same as eastern redcedar?
No. Northern white-cedar is Thuja occidentalis, while eastern redcedar is Juniperus virginiana. They are different species, even though both names include “cedar.”
Does cedar turn gray outdoors?
Both redcedar and white-cedar can weather to gray when exposed to sunlight and the elements. The change is a surface weathering effect and does not, by itself, identify the species or prove that the wood has failed.
Can I use either cedar for a fence?
Often, but suitability depends on the fence design and the particular boards or posts. Consider ground contact, moisture, dimensions, grade, and local product guidance. A post has different exposure demands from an above-ground rail.
Bottom line
Red cedar usually means western redcedar, while white cedar usually means northern white-cedar, but common names can vary. Redcedar is typically warmer in color; white-cedar is usually paler. Both have useful outdoor applications, yet neither is maintenance-free or automatically suitable for every job. Confirm the exact species, compare the product grade, and choose according to the project’s exposure and design.