Alaskan Yellow Cedar
click for larger image
Products Available
Appearance Grade Timbers
  • Post & Timbers
  • Beams and Stringers
Debarked Logs (special request only)
Dimensional Lumber
  • Bevel Siding
  • Channel
  • Cove 105 pattern
  • Fascia
  • Decking
  • T&G paneling
  • T&G flooring
Available Grades
Timbers
  • Select Structural
  • #1 & Btr
  • #2 & Btr
Boards
  • Clear Heart (VG, MG, FG)
  • Finish Clear – A & Btr
  • Finish Clear – B & Btr
  • Industrial Clear – C & Btr
  • Industrial Clear – D & Btr
  • STK (Select Tight Knot)
  • Knotty (Standard & Btr)
The most valuable of commercial species in Alaska, the Alaskan Yellow Cedar is the hardest known cedar in the world. Extremely tight
grained, the average growth rings per inch (RPI) for southeast Alaska Yellow Cedar exceeds 40 RPI (research results from the Ketchikan Wood Technology Center). The use of a magnify glass is required to count the growth rings. This species represents approximately 10% of the net volume of timber that grows in southeast Alaska. Alaska Yellow Cedar is famed for its extraordinary natural resistance to rot, decay, weather and insects.

Studies have shown that the mechanical properties of lumber sawn from Alaska Yellow Cedar trees that have been dead for over 80 years meet or exceed those properties of lumber sawn from living trees of other softwood species. This cedar has a reputation for being able to be worked into very tight joinery. The Japanese have used this exquisite species for centuries to build their temples and teahouses. A very large percentage of Alaska Yellow Cedar is shipped to the Far East, which makes it difficult to source in North America.

The average diameter of the tree ranges from 2 - 4 feet with a height of 80 - 100 feet. The sapwood of this species is narrow and slightly lighter than the bright clear yellow heartwood. The wood is fine textured, straight grained, easily worked and durable. The lumber from Alaska Yellow Cedar is readily
worked by both hand and machine tools. It nails and glues well and holds paint, stains, and varnishes. It also has a uniquely pleasing aroma.

Even though it is considered a softwood by definition, Alaska Yellow Cedar's unique tight grain and durability make it an ideal species for interior T&G flooring.

Alaska Yellow Cedar is extremely diverse in construction application, from structural timbers to interior trim, decking, siding, boat hulls, canoe paddles, and temple wood. The exterior applications such as piers, decking, siding and shakes are desirable because of Alaska Yellow Cedar's natural resistance to rot, insects and decay. When left unfinished, it weathers to a beautiful silver gray color. This results in the same appearance, as you will see on many of the "cape" style homes in the Northeastern United States.

UNIQUE "ALASKAN" DESIGN VALUES:
Due to the unique growing season and weather patterns within the temperate rain forest of southeast Alaska, new design values of a higher structural grade have been created for the species of timber that grow solely in southeast Alaska. As a result of the work conducted by the Ketchikan Wood
Technology Center (KWTC) and Western Wood Products Association (WWPA), Alaska Yellow Cedar has been recognized as a unique species by the American Lumber Standards Committee.

These new design values show that the Yellow Cedar indigenous to southeast Alaska, has a much higher strength and stiffness than the Yellow Cedar in British Colombia, Washington and Oregon. Please click on the links at the bottom of this page to download the Design Values and Spans for Alaskan Species Lumber (WWPA Tech Note 2005).
Grading Agencies

1. Standard Grading Rules for West Coast Lumber; published by the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB); Box 23145, Portland, OR 97281-3145; 503.639.0651; 503.684.8928 (fax); e-mail info@wclib.org

2. Western Lumber Grading Rules; published by Western Wood Products Association (WWPA); Yeon Building, 522 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland Oregon 97204-2122; 503.224.3930; 503.224.3934 (fax); e-mail info@wwpa.org

3. Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber; published by the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA); 406 First Capital Place, 960 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC V3M 6G2; 604.524.2393; 604.524.2893; e-mail info@nlga.org



Alaskan Species Lumber Design Values (2005)
Alaskan Yellow Cedar Growth Ring Averages