"A Worthy Purpose" - History of Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar, as one of the resilient residents of the, at times, harsh climate of the Pacific Northwest and Canada, has served many purposes to both animals and people in the past. Because of the hardiness of the heartwood and its resistance to rot (two of the qualities that make Western Red Cedar ideal for patio furniture), wood from the tree was often used for fence posts to enclose cattle ranges. Western American Indian tribes often used the bark of the Western Red Cedar to make sandals, cribs, and torches, trusting in its strength and in its ability to ward off insects. Such tribes used the tall timbers of the Western Red Cedar to construct canoes and lodges. Louis and Clark, on their famous expedition, even used Western Red Cedar to construct their own canoes.

The natural oil from the wood and leaves that gives outdoor cedar furniture its pleasant fragrance was an important additive to crude perfumes. The oil of the leaves also serves as a natural diuretic when ingested. The smoke of cedar wood was often used to drive away insects and snakes, and there are several accounts that list the edible cones of the Western Red Cedar as effective in combating the harmful effect of snakebites.

Finally, the wood of the Western Red Cedar has been used for centuries to construct bridal “hope chests” and other containers of precious items because of its unique ability to resist moths and other harmful insects. Clearly, the Western Red Cedar has an illustrious past as a useful tree in every capacity, and it is no wonder that we, at The Cedar Site, choose it as the best material for our outdoor patio furniture.