We call it "Swamp Juniper" around the South. It grows in the wetlands of
North Carolina and South Georgia and tou are correct taht boat grade white
cedar is hard to find. It is definitely not made into plywood. I had 3
loggers looking for good logs when I started Rutu. Finally found a prime
log in Caro,GA and a second in Nags Head.

"steveJ" wrote in message
...
Northern White Cedar (Thuja Canadensis, I think) is available but it can
be difficult to find such wood that is high enough quality to plank a
boat.(Unless you know where to look.)
But there is plenty of it growing in Northern New England and Southern
Quebec. I'd say it is one of the SLOWER growing softwoods. At least here.
I'm not sure what Eastern White Cedar is. My USDA WOOD BOOK doesn't
mention it. There is another type of cedar growing along the east coast
generally called Atlantic white cedar. I think the latin name is
Juniprus Virginiana. Both trees are often confused with Arbor Vitae,
often used as an ornamental fence row.
I have planted white cedar in rows around my place as a hedge though.

Either woods makes great boat planking but are generally too soft for
framing. These woods are not generally available at retail places like
Home Despot.
but there's always the risk it's from
deforrestation.
The white cedar I have access to is cut by people who are well aware of
the dangers of over harvsting and seem to do a pretty good job of
managing their logging operations with the long haul in mind. This is
about the "greenest" place on earth politically and environmentally.
(Green Mountains, Vermont)
It may be hard for some who live in urban areas to believe that there
are still areas left that have not been paved over. So I'd have to agree
with William and would not feel guilty about using White cedar.
Now,Mahogany....that's another story. bubinga and gaboon..well who knows?




William R. Watt wrote:
Matt Langenfeld ) writes:

It's tough to be completely "green" and build a boat. The wood comes
from, hopefully, tree farms but there's always the risk it's from
deforrestation.


I dont' think eastern white cedar is a problem.
It's a bit of a weed species. Grows pretty fast.
It's used here for fencing and backyard decks.
People plant if as an evergreen hedge around their yards.

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