Yellow Cedar
Resource Center
Yellow Cedar, also known as Nootka Cypress, Alaska Yellow Cedar and Yellow Cypress is native to North America’s west coast, from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska to the Klamath Mountains in northern California. The species typically grows on wet, sloped mountain sides at higher altitudes where tree growth is slow and steady. It is this growth environment that gives Yellow Cedar the distinctive characteristics that make it so popular around the world.
Callitropsis Nootkatensis, the scientific name for Yellow Cedar, is an evergreen tree growing up to 40 meters (131 feet) tall, commonly with pendulous branches. The foliage grows in flat sprays, with dark green, 3–5 mm long scale-leaves.
Beautiful, Durable, Versatile
Yellow Cedar is Ideal for Outdoor Living
Structures & Decking
WFP TRUESTYLE Yellow Cedar adds natural, enduring beauty to architectural projects, interior and exterior finishes as well as decks and outdoor structures. Prized the world over for its smooth, rich texture and straight grain, Yellow Cedar offers a distinctive honey-yellow color that creates a modern, prestigious look. Yellow Cedar is suitable for a vast array of applications where appearance is important, and strength and durability are not negotiable.
Thanks to naturally occurring rot-repelling tannins and oils, this species is weather and insect resistant. It has no pitch, so it takes stains and finishes well.
Top Reasons to Choose Yellow Cedar
1. Rich, Beautiful Appearance
With its fine, straight grain, creamy texture and soft-white to honey-yellow color, Yellow Cedar creates stunning projects.
2. Strong and Durable
Similar in strength to Douglas Fir, Yellow Cedar is a dense and stable wood. In fact, it’s the hardest cedar in the world.
3. Easy to Work With
Although dense, Yellow Cedar is easy to cut, drill and sand, and lighter than most hardwoods.
4. Naturally Decay Resistant
Yellow Cedar’s natural tannins resist decay and insects, making it ideal for gardens, eco-sensitive areas, and places prone to termites or mold.
Finishing & Maintenance
Staining
- First, select a high-quality penetrating oil with UV protection and a mildewcide.
- Stains with some pigment (color) will be more durable than clear ones. Prepare all surfaces by sanding with 100-grit paper.
- Brush on the stain, let stand for several minutes, then wipe in and wipe off any excess product with a lint-free cloth.
Maintaining
All materials require some maintenance to keep them looking their best.
- For decks, use a hose or broom to remove any dirt and debris caught between decking boards.
- Pressure washing is NOT required or recommended, as it may damage and roughen the surface. Instead, scrub the deck with a commercial deck wash, or use a water and oxygenated bleach mix, which is environmentally safe, and hose off.