Fact

• Red cedar is a higher quality wood than white cedar because the lumber is sturdier and more durable than the white cedar.
  
  

Geography

• The white cedar is typically grows in the northeastern part of the United States, while the red cedar grows in the West. Southern red cedar grows in the Southeast, from North Carolina to Texas.
  
  

Function

• Of the two types of wood, red cedar has excellent dimensional stability, which means it will not easily shrink, warp or twist.
  
  

Features

• The white cedar is a lighter wood, which over time turns a silver-like color. Red cedar turns darker as it ages. Red cedar is more resistant to decay and rot, and it weathers the elements better than white cedar.
  
  

Significance

• The sapwood--the outer portion--of the red cedar is white, while the heartwood--the inner portion--is reddish brown. White cedar contains an off-white sapwood, while the heartwood is light brown. Darker heartwood is the more decay-resistant.