Archive for the ‘red oak’ Category
December 19th, 2009 | 
Author: What is Western redcedar? Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous (Conifer: cone-bearing seed plants with vascular tissue; all extant conifers are woody plants, the great majority being trees with just a few being shrubs. Typical examples of conifers include cedars, douglas-firs, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauis, larches, pines, redwoods, spruces and yews.) tree in the cypress family. Cupressaceae (The Cupressaceae or cypress family is a conifer family with worldwide distribution. The family includes 27-30 genera (17 monotypic) with about 130-140 species. They are monocious, subdioecious or (rarely) dioecious trees and shrubs from 1-116 m (3-379 ft.) tall. The bark of mature trees is commonly orange-to-red brown and of stringy texture, often flaking or peeling in vertical strips, but smooth, scaly or hard and square-cracked in some species.), native to the northern United States and southwestern Canada, from southern Alaska and British Columbia south to northwestern California and inland to western Montana.
The foilage forms flat sprays with scale-like leaves in opposite pairs, with successive pairs at 90 degrees to each other. The foilage sprays are green above, and green marked white with stomtal (Stoma: In botany, a stoma (also stomate; plural stomata) is a tiny opening or pore, found mostly on the underside of a plant leaf and used for gas exchange.) bands below. The cones are slender, 15-20 mm long and 4-5 mm broad., with 8-12 thin, overlapping scales. Western redcedar is a large tree, to 50-60 , tall and 3 m (exceptionally 6 m) trunk diameter. In addition to growing in lush forests, western redcedar is also a riparian (A riparian zone is the interface between land and a stream. Riparian zones occur in many forms including grassland, woodland, wetland or even non-vegetative. the word “riparian” is derived from Latin ripa, meaning river bank.) tree, and grows in many forested swamps and streambanks in its range. The tree is shade-tolerant, and able to reproduce under dense shade.
The soft red-brown timber is valued for its resistance to decay, being extensively used for outdoor construction in the form of posts, decking, shingles, siding and outdoor furniture including porch swings, patio tables, picnic tables. garden benches, garden trelisses, arbors, bridges and so much more. It is also used to line closets and chests, for its pungent aromatic oils are believed to discourage moth and carpet beetle lavae, which can damage cloth by eating wool and similar fibers. This is of course more effective in a properly constructed redcedar chest (sometimes made of entirely cedar), since the oils are confined by shellac and leather seals.
Cedar is a lightweight and dimensionally stable wood that lies flat and stays flat. It stays cool. It is an incredible thermal co-efficient. It is fungal and bacterial resistant couples with the fact that cedar is 80% the strength of oak, makes it the most desirable wood for building outdoor furniture such as: porch swings, picnic tables, garden benches, patio tables, adirondack chairs, loungers, ottomans, garden trellisses and arbors. Cedar is an excellent material for humid and moist climates.
Consider the advantages of purchasing outdoor patio tables, porch swings, adirondack chairs, garden benches and other outdoor furniture and garden products made from cedar. It won’t bow or sag over time. It won’t become faded or dull sun scorched but rather will hold its beautiful appearance for years to come. Cedar is an all around healthier and safer choice for outdoor furniture and garden products.
Most of todays outdoor furniture material is chemically treated. These materials are soaked in a toxic stew of chemical preservatives that are strong enough to require warning labels for those handling it. There are three primary ingredients in pressure treated woods: copper, arsenic and chromium. The extent of arsenic exposure due to physical contact with CCA wood surfaces has caused a controversy. Playground equipment, picnic tables and decks are such surfaces built using CCA treated wood. Virtually no inorganic arsenic is absorded through the skin, but is readily taken in by ingestion, studies have shown. Thus, the potential exposure is hand to mouth, and therefore, children are considered to be the most vulnerable to this potential risk.
Cedar is a natural alternative to chemically treated wood. So why not choose it for your outdoor furniture, garden products and your construction needs.
Some information came from Wikipedia.
Posted in Furniture is an essential part of every home. There is a large variety of furniture available today, all made from various materials. Besides plastic and metal, wood furniture is growing in popularity. And amongst the many types of wood furniture available today, oak furniture is a favorite amongst many.
The main reason many people consider and prefer having oak furniture is because it is furniture made from a very durable wood. Oak wood is wood that is not only durable, but also comes with a beautiful grain and when stained, looks very appealing. Oak furniture is really a great choice if you are looking for something beautiful for your home décor while at the same time requiring something durable.
Make sure your oak furniture is real
If you are thinking of getting yourself some oak furniture, it is important that you ensure the furniture you get is made from real solid oak. This is because there are many manufacturers out there who sell their ‘oak furniture’ by covering furniture made from a cheaper wood with a thin sheet of oak veneer. This type of oak furniture is much less durable than the real oak furniture.
When choosing your oak furniture, look for furniture that comes with an alluring weave and not too many blemishes; some may prefer painted furniture. Moreover, the furniture should have a smooth finish. With so much perfection, you should be ready for the exorbitant prices of oak furniture. Although this is furniture costs more than pine furniture, it is actually less than mahogany furniture.
Oak can bear the brunt of all types of wear and tear
The main reason oak furniture is so durable is because oak is a type of wood that is very resistant to wear and tear. In addition, this wood can withstand any ill-treatment it may receive from the activities of a home of active people. With oak furniture, you will not be able to see any scrapes, knocks or dents on it as they all blend in well in the furniture.
Besides keeping up with the activities of a busy household, oak furniture can also withstand the effects of the aging process. This makes an investment in oak furniture a wise one that will last for decades and still look brand new.
With the numerous types of oak available, you can find oak furniture in various hues ranging from white to red tones. This makes it convenient to buy oak furniture that blends easily with any color scheme of your home. Moreover, with oak lending itself well to wood working and minute details, you will be able to find the right oak furniture to complement whatever type of interior designing you may have.
Why choose Red Cedar? That is an excellent question! Cedar comes in a wide variety of colors including white, gold, silver or tan. Red cedar provides a unique look in shades of amber, red and brown, but brings the same superior qualities that other types of cedar bring.
Shall we review all the reasons why cedar is a great bet? Cedar is an exceptional wood for outdoor furniture for many reasons. First of all cedar rarely warps. It is a lightweight wood with incredible strength, so it tends to keep its shape, and stay straight. Furthermore, it doesn’t crack like many other types of wood may crack.
Red cedar is also known for keeping its cool. That might sound funny talking about wood and keeping cool, but it’s true. Red cedar has what is called a good “thermal co-efficient.” That means that it doesn’t radiate heat, no matter how long it has been baking in the sun on a hot day. Sit in it, and you’re likely to still feel cool and relaxed.
We already mentioned red cedar’s strength. In fact, it is estimated to be 80 percent as strong as oak. But what comes along with that strength is an inner strength; it has strong tendencies to be resistant to both bacteria and fungi. Plus, the natural oils in cedar work as a natural insect repellent which is a beneficial feature for any piece of outdoor furniture.
Not sold on red cedar yet? If not, here are some more excellent reasons for you to consider it. It tends not to rot as quickly as many other types of wood because of the natural oils contained in the cedar’s fibers. These oils protect the cedar wood from moisture and humidity, which makes red cedar a great choice for use near pools and hot tubs.
Another reason that people love wood furniture in general is the smell. Red cedar has natural chemicals that give off a smell most people associate with the woods, the great outdoors, the fresh air, and cleanliness, childhood camping trips we could go on and on. The basic point is that it evokes warm, good feelings. Can’t put your finger on the exact smell? Close your eyes tight and think back to your grandmother’s cedar chest.
Still need another reason to choose red cedar? Unlike today’s chemically treated woods, red cedar provides all of these benefits without the need for harsh manmade chemicals. You can’t say the same for plastic furniture.
The benefits of red cedar are numerous. It is lightweight and does not crack or warp like so many other woods out there. You do not need to chemically treat cedar as you do with other woods, and red cedar does not rot quickly, so it is great to place near pools and hot tubs. Keep red cedar in mind the next time you are creating a wonderful outdoor space for you and your family to enjoy. You and your family will be glad that you did.
