Softwoods Technical Guide: 2021 Update

MEET WESTERN RED CEDAR

Grown and milled in the northwestern United States and Canada, Cedar is a high quality softwood at an affordable price. The most popular in the softwood category, Cedar is naturally weather, insect, and decay resistant, making it easy to maintain. At the same time, its also easy to install and comes in a variety of dimensions. With its reddish-brown hue and natural ability to hold stains and paint well, Western Red Cedar is great for siding, soffits, or any other project exposed to to the elements. TimberTown stocks only the highest grades of Cedar.

Availability Dimensions

Lengths

1x2 - 1x12

12’ - 16’

2x2 - 2x12

8’ - 10’ - 12’ - 16’ - 20’

4x4 - 4x12

12’ - 16’

6x6

12’ - 16’ - 20’

8x8

12’ - 16’

WESTERN RED CEDAR Characteristics

Common Name(s) Clear Cedar, Western Red Cedar Scientific Name Thuja plicata Distribution Pacific Northwest and Canada Tree Size 165-200 ft. tall with a 7-13 ft. trunk diameter Color/Appearance Heartwood is pink to reddish brown, often with random streaks and bands of darker brown areas. Narrow sapwood is pale yellow, and isn’t always sharply demarcated from the heartwood.

Grain/Texture Grain is straight; coarse texture with moderate natural luster.

Endgrain Resin canals are absent. Predominantly arranged in radial multiples of two to five. Narrow normal spacing of rays.

Few large vessels-deposits occasionally present.

Rot Resistance Cedar has excellent durability and weathering properties.

The wood is rated as durable to very durable to insect attacks.

Workability Cedar is easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it dents and scratches very easily due to its softness, and can sand unevenly due to the difference in density between the earlywood and latewood zones. Glues and finishes well. Iron-based fasteners can stain and discolor the wood, especially in the presence of moisture.

Odor Cedar has a strong, lingering, aromatic scent.

Allergies/Toxicity Cedar has been reported as a sensitizer; can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as runny nose, and asthma like respiratory effects.

Sustainability This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses Shingles, exterior siding and lumber, boatbuilding, boxes, crates, and musical instruments.

MEET WHITE PINE

White Pine is one of the most commonly used lumber products for construction in the United States.

White Pine has a straight grain and its color can be expected to darken with age. It’s a beautiful piece of lumber on its own but can also be stained with a wide variety of finishes. It is commonly used for soffits and ceilings.

Availability Dimensions

Lengths

1x2 - 1x12

12’ - 16’

2x2 - 2x12

8’ - 10’ - 12’ - 16’ - 20’

4x4 - 4x12

12’ - 16’

WHITE PINE Characteristics

Common Name(s) Eastern White Pine/Western White Pine Scientific Name Pinus strobus Distribution Eastern North America - Western North America Tree Size 65-100 ft. tall with a 2-4 ft. trunk diameter Color/Appearance Heartwood is light brown, sometimes with a lightly reddish hue. Sapwood is a pale yellow to nearly white. Color tends to darken with age.

Grain/Texture Grain is straight, medium texture.

Endgrain Large, numerous, and evenly distributed resin canals.

Medium to large tracheid diameter. Gradual earlywood to latewood transition. Low grain contrast.

Rot Resistance Rated as moderately durable to non-durable. White Pine has poor insect borers resistance.

Workability White Pine is easy to work with both hand and machine tools - glues and finishes well.

Odor White Pine has a faint, resinous odor when being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, White Pine can cause skin irritation, runny nose, and asthma like respiratory effects.

Sustainability This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses Crates, boxes, interior millwork, construction lumber, carving and boatbuilding.

DOUGLAS FIR: THE ARCHITECTS CHOICE

Douglas Fir (aka Architectural Fir) is North Americas most plentiful softwood species, accounting for one fifth of the continents total softwood reserves. Best known for its toughness, density and excellent fire ratings, Douglas Fir can be used for beams or milled for other applications. A great part about this softwood is it can be stained to match the exact look you want. Whether using fir inside or outside, we have the size, cut, and style you need for your project.

Availability Dimensions

Lengths

1x2 - 1x12

12’ - 16’

2x2 - 2x12

8’ - 10’ - 12’ - 16’ - 20’

4x4 - 4x12

12’ - 16’

6x6

12’ - 16’ - 20’

8x8

12’ - 16’

DOUGLAS FIR Characteristics

Common Name(s) Doug Fir, Fir Scientific Name Pseudotsuga menziesii Distribution Western North America Tree Size 200-250 ft. tall with a 5-6 ft. trunk diameter Color/Appearance Varies upon age and location of tree. Usually light brown with a hint of red or yellow, with darker growth rings. In quartersawn pieces, the grain is straight and plain. In flatsawn pieces, the wood can exhibit wild grain patterns.

Grain/Texture Grain is generally straight, or slightly wavy; medium to to coarse texture with moderate natural luster.

Endgrain Small to infrequent resin canals that are variable in distribution. High grain contrast and medium to large tracheid diameter.

Rot Resistance Rated as moderately durable with poor insect borer resistance

Workability Typically machines well, but has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. Accepts stains, glues, and finishes well.

Odor Douglas Fir has a distinct, resinous odor when being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity Can cause skin irritation, nausea, runny nose, and giddiness. Splinters tend to take longer to heal and are more likely to get infected.

Sustainability This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses Veneer, plywood, and structural/construction lumber.

ALASKAN YELLOW CEDAR

Found only on the Pacific Coast of North America, Alaskan Yellow Cedar is the hardest know cedar in the world. Prized by boat builders, it has exceptional resistance to weather and insects as well as easy workability. First used by the West Coast Indians for their historic Totem Poles and great war canoes, it is a rare and often difficult to find lumber species. Its durability and ease of tooling make it readily adaptable for the construction and finishing of homes and larger commercial projects. TimberTown offers Alaskan Yellow Cedar at both our Austin and Atlanta locations.

Availability Dimensions

Lengths

1x2 - 1x12

12’ - 16’

2x2 - 2x12

8’ - 10’ - 12’ - 16’ - 20’

4x4 - 4x12

12’ - 16’

ALASKAN YELLOW CEDAR Characteristics

Common Name(s) AYC, Yellow Cedar Scientific Name Cupressus nootkatensis

Workability Easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though pieces with wavy grain may produce tearout during planing. Holds paint well. Stains, glues, and finishes well.

Distribution Northwest coast of North America

Odor AYC has a distinct scent similar to raw potatoes.

Tree Size 100-120 ft. tall with a 4-6 ft. trunk diameter

Allergies/Toxicity Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, AYC can cause minor skin irriation.

Color/Appearance Heartwood is light yellow. Sapwood is white to pale yellow and isnt distinct from the heartwood.

Grain/Texture Grain is straight or sometimes wavy; uniform, medium to fine texture.

Endgrain Resin canals are abesnt. Small to medium tracheid diameter. Gradual early to latewood transition. Low to moderate grain contrast.

Rot Resistance Rated as durable to very durable with good insect borer resistance.

Sustainability This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses Carving, boatbuilding, outdoor furniture, boxes/chests, musical instruments (flutes, soundsboards on guitars), siding, flooring, decking, and various utility/construction applications.

CYPRESS

Although Cypress is a softwood, it grows alongside hardwoods and is traditionally grouped and manufactured with hardwoods, making it an excellent exterior siding or soffit option. TimberTown stocks both Cypress Select and Cypress #2. By choosing our select Cypress, which is the clearest grade, you can ensure your project is a cut above the rest!

Availability Dimensions

Lengths

1x2 - 1x12

12’ - 16’

2x2 - 2x12

8’ - 10’ - 12’ - 16’ - 20’

4x4 - 4x12

12’ - 16’

6x6

12’ - 16’ - 20’

8x8

12’ - 16’

CYPRESS

Characteristics Common Name(s) Cypress, Pecky Cypress Scientific Name Taxodium distichum Distribution Southeastern United States Tree Size 80-120 ft. tall with a 3-5 ft. trunk diameter Color/Appearance Heartwood tends to be light yellowish brown. Sapwood is nearly white. Some boards can have scattered pockets of darker wood that have been attacked by fungi, sometimes called pecky cypress.

Grain/Texture Grain is straight; medium to coarse texture. Raw, unfinished wood surfaces have a greasy feel.

Endgrain Resin canals are abesnt. Tracheid diameter is large to very large. Abrupt earlywood to latewood transition. Moderate grain contrast.

Rot Resistance Old-growth wood is rated as durable to very durable, while wood from younger trees is only moderately durable.

Workability Sharp cutters and light passes are recommended to avoid tearout. Some sources report the wood to have a moderate dulling effect on cutting edges. Good gluing, nailing, finishing, and paint-holding properties.

Odor AYC has a distinct scent similar to raw potatoes.

Allergies/Toxicity Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, Cypress can cause respiratory irritation.

Sustainability This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses Exterior construction, docks, boatbuilding, interior trim, and veneer.

YELLOW PINE

For over fifty years, pressure-treated lumber has been the framing product of choice. Our southern yellow pine is treated with the MicroPro preservative process, which has received EPP certification from the Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) based on its life cycle. What does that mean? It means we use the only wood treatment process guaranteed to withstand rot, fungal decay, and termite attacks. Plus, it’s environmentally and family-friendly.

Availability Dimensions

Lengths

1x2 - 1x12

12’ - 16’

2x2 - 2x12

8’ - 10’ - 12’ - 16’ - 20’

4x4 - 4x12

12’ - 16’

6x6

12’ - 16’ - 20’

8x8

12’ - 16’

YELLOW PINE Characteristics

Common Name(s) Southern Yellow Pine, Treated Scientific Name Pinus palustris Distribution Southeastern United States Tree Size 100-115 ft. tall with a 2-3 ft. trunk diameter Color/Appearance Heartwood is reddish brown, sapwood is yellowish white.

Grain/Texture Straight grain with a fine to medium texture.

Endgrain Large resin canals, numerous and evenly distributed, mostly solitary; earlywood to latewood transition abrupt, color contrasts high; tracheid diameter medium large.

Rot Resistance The heartwood is rated as moderately resistant to decay.

Workability Overall Yellow Pine works well with most tools, though the resin can gum up tools and clog sandpaper. Yellow Pine glues and finishes well.

Odor Has a distinct smell that is shared amongst most species in the Pine genus.

Allergies/Toxicity Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, Yellow Pine can cause minor skin irriation.

Sustainability This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses Commonly used for construction, such as: stringers, roof trusses, poles, joists, piles; as well as interior applications such as subflooring and sheathing. In exterior applications its usually pressure-treated with preservatives.

MILLING PROFILES DECKING

T&G Porch Flooring

Edge-Grooved

RAILING

2x4 Handrail Cap

Shiplap/Lap & Gap

2x6 Handrail Cap

SIDING & SOFFITS

Tex-Gap #122 #116

Rainscreen

Tongue & Groove

Get more great resources at

TimberTown.com

Quality Materials

We are meticulous and exacting in our selection of products. We choose to buy the best composite decking, long lasting hardwoods like Ipe, and an incredible selection of modified woods.

Superb Service

We put people first. Our associates, clients, vendors, and suppliers are most important to us. We pride ourselves on having excellent communication skills, great customer service and on-time delivery.

Friendly People

Why do we enjoy coming to work with a smile on our face? Because we love helping people like you! Once you contact us or walk into our showroom, our goal is to help you find what you are looking for.

1-888-890-6214 • www.TimberTown.com • Sales@TimberTown.com