Yellow cedar

Yellow Cedar is a beautifully aromatic, fine-textured hardwood prized for its warm golden-yellow color that ranges to light honey tones, offering both visual appeal and natural elegance. Native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, this wood is known for its exceptional stability, dimensional strength, and natural resistance to decay, making it a reliable choice for both indoor and specialty artisan projects.

Lightweight yet strong, Yellow Cedar machines, turns, and sands easily while retaining sharp detail, and it finishes to a smooth, polished surface that highlights its natural color and subtle figure. Each piece is uniquely patterned, making it perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, and decorative woodworking projects.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Callitropsis nootkatensis (formerly Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)

Family: Cupressaceae

Origin: Western North America (Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon)

Common & Trade Names

Yellow Cedar, Nootka Cypress, Alaska Cedar, Nootka Cedar, Pacific Yellow Cedar

Workability & Characteristics

Fine, uniform texture

Lightweight, strong, and stable

Easily machines, turns, and sands

Polishes to a smooth, natural luster

Aromatic wood with natural decay resistance

Health & Safety Note

Yellow Cedar dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation, particularly in sensitive individuals. Use proper dust extraction, a respirator, and eye protection when cutting, sanding, or turning.

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