Western red cedar stands up to the elements

The positive traits of western red cedar wood have been noted in the latest issue of online resource Popular Mechanics.

Contributor Thomas Klenck notes how to make a garden planter out of the robust material, which he notes "will stand up to the elements outside your door".

He suggests that the planter can be built by people with a range of skills, noting that it can also be constructed in a range of styles, ranging from rustic to smarter, adding that either choice will result in the creation of an attractive piece of garden ornamentation.

"Use nearly knot-free cedar, with parts carefully cut and fitted, to produce a planter with clean lines and a furniture-like feel. Or, use a knotty rough-sawn cedar and dispense with careful adjustments to produce a rustic planter well suited to life outdoors," he suggests.

Meanwhile, Mike Hennigan, co-chair of the Western Fallers Association told the Vancouver Sun that western red cedar is the main commodity keeping the lumber market afloat.