Lance Carson
Red cedar and incense cedar are two distinct types of cedarwood with varying properties. While both are known for their unique aromas, they can be differentiated by factors such as colour, texture, and origin. Red cedar, also known as Eastern Red Cedar or American Red Cedar, exhibits a reddish hue with streaks of cream sapwood, while incense cedar typically has a dull yellow-brown or whitish colour. Red cedar is native to the eastern United States and is prized for its durability, sweet fragrance, and insect-repelling properties. On the other hand, incense cedar, native to the western United States, is favoured for its softness, ease of cutting, and tart aroma. These characteristics have made it a popular choice for wood pencils and fencing products.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Colour: Red cedar has a reddish hue, while incense cedar is a dull yellow-brown
- Smell: Red cedar has a sweet fragrance, unlike the dry, tart scent of incense cedar
- Texture: Red cedar has a fine, uniform texture, while incense cedar is fluffy and feathery
- Price: Incense cedar is typically cheaper due to its availability
- Use: Red cedar is used for its fragrance in wardrobes and shoes, whereas incense cedar is used for pencils
Colour: Red cedar has a reddish hue, while incense cedar is a dull yellow-brown
Colour is a key differentiator between red cedar and incense cedar. Red cedar, also known as American Red Cedar or Eastern Red Cedar, has a reddish hue, while incense cedar is a dull yellow-brown. The reddish colour of the American Red Cedar is a telltale sign of its quality. The colour of the American Red Cedar can vary widely, even between wood from the same tree, but it is known for its reddish or rosy hue, which distinguishes it from other cedar woods.
The heartwood of the incense cedar, on the other hand, is a light to medium reddish-brown, while the sapwood is a light tan to off-white colour. The incense cedar is often a lighter colour, sometimes described as whitish, and is commonly used in wood pencils due to its softness and ease of cutting without splintering. It is also more readily available and, therefore, more affordable than the American Red Cedar.
The colour of the wood is determined by the species of the tree and can vary even within the same tree. For example, the Western Red Cedar, a type of red cedar, has a much lighter appearance in the heartwood and more sapwood, which can sometimes be confused with incense cedar. Similarly, the incense cedar can vary in colour, with some boards containing pockets of partially decayed wood (known as "pecky cedar") due to fungal attack.
When identifying red cedar and incense cedar, it is important to consider other factors in addition to colour, as the colour of the wood can vary depending on various factors, such as the specific species, growing conditions, and the presence of decay or fungal attack.
Crafting Reverse Smoke Incense Cones: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Smell: Red cedar has a sweet fragrance, unlike the dry, tart scent of incense cedar
Smelling the wood is a good way to tell the difference between red cedar and incense cedar. Red cedar has a sweet fragrance, unlike the dry, tart scent of incense cedar.
Eastern Red Cedar oil has a spicy fragrance that is evocative of nature. It is often used to restore cedarwood products, freshen the air, and add fragrance to products like candles, soaps, and perfumes. When exposed to air, the scent of Eastern Red Cedar oil becomes sweeter, with both spicy and darker tones.
Incense cedar, on the other hand, has a spicy odour. It is commonly used in making pencils due to its softness and ease of cutting without splintering.
Red cedar is also used in aromatic products, such as the Cedar Space Cedar Blocks for Closet Storage, which are made from 100% aromatic red cedar blocks, chips, and planks to freshen drawers and closets.
Additionally, the colour of the wood can be a differentiating factor. While incense cedar has a whitish or light tan to off-white colour, red cedar has a reddish-brown colour.
Making Cinnamon Incense Cones: A DIY Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Texture: Red cedar has a fine, uniform texture, while incense cedar is fluffy and feathery
When it comes to texture, red cedar and incense cedar have some distinct differences. Red cedar, also known as Eastern red cedar, has a fine, uniform texture. Its heartwood, which is used for cedar chests, is light brown and aromatic. The wood is naturally rot-resistant, making it a popular choice for fence posts and rails. The foliage of red cedar is needle-like and/or scale-like, with prickly, silvery-blue needles that may turn bronzy-green in winter.
On the other hand, incense cedar has a different texture altogether. It has a medium to fine uniform texture, with a straight grain. While it is also susceptible to fungal decay, known as "pecky cedar", dried incense cedar wood is durable and resistant to decay. This makes it suitable for fence posts and other outdoor applications. The texture of incense cedar is described as soft, which is why it is commonly used for making pencils as it cuts easily without splintering.
The visual and tactile differences in the texture of these two types of cedar are quite noticeable. Red cedar's fine, uniform texture gives it a smooth and consistent appearance, while incense cedar's texture can be described as fluffy and feathery in comparison. The softness of incense cedar contributes to its workability and ease of cutting, making it a popular choice for woodworking and pencil manufacturing.
In summary, the texture of red cedar is consistently fine and uniform, while incense cedar has a slightly coarser texture that is still considered medium to fine. The differences in texture are influenced by the natural characteristics of the wood, including its grain pattern and susceptibility to decay. These textural variations can help distinguish between red cedar and incense cedar, providing a tactile and visual means of identification beyond their more obvious colour differences.
Burning Incense in a Fireplace: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Price: Incense cedar is typically cheaper due to its availability
Price is one of the most significant differences between incense cedar and red cedar. Incense cedar is typically more affordable than red cedar due to its availability and production capacity.
Incense cedar is widely available and commonly found in stores, especially in regions like California. Its ample supply contributes to its competitive pricing. On the other hand, red cedar, particularly Eastern Redcedar, has limited supplies, making it less accessible and driving up its cost.
The production capacity of incense cedar also plays a role in its pricing. While incense cedar is favored by major retailers for specific products, it does not have the capacity to meet the extensive demands of large retailers like Lowes or Home Depot for all their cedar product lines. For example, incense cedar is commonly used for wood pencils due to its softness, ease of cutting, and affordable price. However, for fencing products, these retailers often rely on Western Red Cedar or treated pine. The limited production capacity of incense cedar compared to the higher demand for red cedar contributes to the price difference between the two types of cedar.
Additionally, the growth rate of incense cedar can impact its availability and, consequently, its price. While it is generally known as a slower-growing tree, some gardeners have reported instances of their incense cedar trees growing faster than expected, even surpassing the initial growth rate of Western Red Cedars. This variability in growth rate could influence the availability and pricing of incense cedar in the market.
It is worth noting that the pricing of cedar products can vary based on factors such as region, retailer, and the specific type of cedar within the broader categories of incense and red cedar. Nonetheless, the availability and production capacity of these woods play a significant role in determining their relative prices.
Creating Balsam Fir Incense: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Use: Red cedar is used for its fragrance in wardrobes and shoes, whereas incense cedar is used for pencils
Red cedar and incense cedar have distinct uses due to their unique properties. Red cedar is commonly used for its fragrance in wardrobes and shoes, while incense cedar is often used for making pencils.
Red cedar, also known as Eastern Red Cedar or American Red Cedar, has a unique, sweet fragrance that smells like fresh pine. This makes it ideal for use as a natural deodorizer in wardrobes and shoes. The aromatic oils present in red cedar have a pleasant aroma and act as a natural insect repellent. Additionally, red cedar is known for its high durability and mould resistance, making it a popular choice for crafting shoe trees and wardrobe fresheners.
The fragrance of red cedar is derived from its natural oils, which are also extracted for use in creams, lotions, and essential oils. The colour of red cedar can vary widely, even between wood from the same tree, but it often has a reddish hue with streaks of cream sapwood.
On the other hand, incense cedar is one of the primary woods used for pencil making due to its softness, ease of cutting, and spicy odour. It is easy to work with both hand and machine tools, stains, glues, and finishes well, and holds paint very well. Incense cedar has a light tan to off-white colour, and its heartwood can range from light to medium reddish-brown.
While both types of cedar have their unique characteristics and uses, it is important to note that some unscrupulous retailers may try to pass off incense cedar products as American Red Cedar due to their similar geographic origins. Therefore, when purchasing cedar products, it is essential to be aware of the distinct properties of each type of cedar to ensure you are getting the desired product.
Herbal Incense Bundles: Make Your Own at Home
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Red cedar and incense cedar can be differentiated by their colour, fragrance, and texture. Red cedar has a reddish hue and a sweet fragrance, while incense cedar is yellow to brown in colour and has a dry, tart smell. Red cedar is also known for its high durability, mould resistance, and natural oils, which are used in creams and lotions.
Red cedar has a reddish hue and may have streaks of cream sapwood. Incense cedar, on the other hand, is a dull wooden yellow-brown colour.
Red cedar has a fresh, sweet fragrance that smells like pine. It is often used as a natural deodorizer in wardrobes and shoes. Incense cedar, on the other hand, has a dry and tart fragrance.
Both types of cedar can affect individuals with asthma or respiratory issues. It is important to be cautious when working with cedar products and consult a medical professional if you experience any adverse reactions.
Red cedar is commonly used for creating furniture due to its durability, tensile strength, and natural insect repellent properties. It is also used as a natural deodorizer. Incense cedar, being softer and easier to cut, is often used for making pencils.
