Eastern Red Cedar

[kingpenn3]

I have a client that wants to use Eastern Red Cedar for exposed rafters. The 2015 NDS does not specify design values for Eastern Red Cedar. Does anyone no where I can obtain these design values? The NDS does specify Western Red Cedar.

 

[hokie66]

I would check with lumber supplier first. I doubt you will find any Eastern Red Cedar large enough for rafters.

 

[kingpenn3]

The members will be used as exposed outriggers around a builder, thus the spans are really short. Again, does anyone know where I can find design values?

 

[btrueblood]

Google gives:

http://www.wood-database.com/aromatic-red-cedar/

https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/usda/amwood/260eredc.pdf

 

[mjr6550]

You could try Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association: NELMA

http://www.nelma.org/

 

[dik]

See page 4-12, from 'Encyclopedia of Wood', Chapter 04.

Dik

 

[cindersfella]

try the Book "Wood in Australia"
Types, properties and Uses
By Kieth R Bootle

It has the following info for Cedar Alaska
density

​

500kg/m3
modulus of rapture
GREEN

45​

dry

78
modulus of e;lasticity
green

8.5Gpa​

dry

11gPA​

IF THIS IS HELPFUL
SORRY I CANT SCAN THE PAGE

 

[hokie66]

cindersfella,
Different species. Eastern Red Cedar is a Juniper. Alaskan Cedar is a Cypress.

 

[OldBldgGuy]

As Hokie says, Eastern Red Cedar is a juniper. It's stronger than Western red or Eastern white, but you're never going to find any large enough for rafters. The trees themselves rarely exceed 8" dia. or 25' high, they branch like crazy, and the wood is only commercially marketed for aromatic purposes (anti-insect) for closet linings and the like.

 

[MikeHalloran]

My best friend lined a very big closet with what I think was Eastern Red Cedar.
He got nasty headaches from cutting it.
Upon inquiry, his supplier said it was toxic, and he should have been wearing a respirator.
I'm guessing that's why the bugs avoid it.

Exposed rafters do not sound like a good application for it.

I do love the spectacular coloration and grain.
Maybe you could make the actual rafters from a less aromatic wood,
and apply the ERC as a veneer, sealed with a heavy coat of something clear
on all faces and edges.

The rustic souvenir industry produces a lot of trinkets from ERC
or similar, with a glossy thick finish like decoupage.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA