CEDAR – THE HIDDEN VALUE IN YOUR WOODS
Eastern red cedar is, too often, considered a low value species. Landowners use cedar
locally for posts and poles in their fencing and construction projects. Commercial sale of
acres of cedar, however, is not thought to be of value. The value of cedar can be
significant. New markets have developed, industry is expanding, and technology allows
mills to better utilize the species. If you have cedar on your farm, it is worth
determining its volume and value.
Cedar is often the result of abandoned fields. Lower productivity sites grow up thick in
cedar if the seed source is available. Cedar has the ability to grow on low productivity
sites. Dense stands of cedar result. Over time, the stems compete with each other for
space, resulting in straight and tall trees in an almost pure cedar stand.
Competition causes a slow down of growth rate until individual stems express dominance
over others to reduce the number of stems per acre. Cedar stands with an average of 6”
to 8” diameter at breast height (DBH) are common in Kentucky. Cedar does not have to
be harvested at this stage of development, but if land clearing or stand conversion is the
goal, there are loggers and markets that can buy your cedar tonnage. Considering that
cedar stands at this stage often have in excess of 20 tons per acre, the income yield can be
substantial.
Cedar also competes well on more productive sites. Cedar is one of the pioneer species
that invades an abandoned field quickly and gets a head start on many of the hardwoods.
Hardwood species eventually catch up to the cedar, but not until cedar has claimed a
significant part of the stand composition. In these stands the diameters and height of
individual cedars is greater than on lower quality sites.
Several factors determine the value of your cedar. Cedar is usually cut into 8-foot sticks.
Sticks with a small end diameter from 4 to 5 inches are sold in the shaving market, often
called the “cat litter” market. Larger diameter sticks are made into a different array of
products. Opportunities are available for larger cedars including boards, blocks, cants,
and poles. Cedar lumber is used in a wide range of products, for example, crafts,
birdhouses, chests, flooring, siding, spas, gazebos, and fencing. Buyers of cedar pay
more for stems that have a broader market application.
Cedar value increases with average volume per tree, volume per acre, and quality, just
like most timber species. High quality cedar is taller and has fewer lower limbs. Cedar
trees that are more rounded (less ‘fluting’ or ridges) are locally called ‘slick cedar’ and
worth more because less volume is removed at the mill as slabs.
Cedar is harvested by hand-labor operations or mechanical methods. Both methods get
the job done with minimal impact to the soil or adjacent trees. Removing cedar in
hardwood stands reduces the basal area and places more growth potential on the
remaining hardwoods.
Cedar is generally measured in board feet and sold by the ton. A general conversion rate
is 8 to 10 pounds per board foot. Weight can vary with the time of cutting and the
amount of red heartwood. Older large cedar that is almost completely red can weigh less
per board foot than younger cedar with more white sapwood. On the other hand, more
red heartwood is more desirable in many cedar products.
Landowners benefit from better knowledge of all products on their farm. Cedar does not
have the same reputation or value as oaks and walnut, yet the value is significant.
Management and harvesting of cedar is worth consideration.
Cedar in a pole sized hardwood stand
Cedar removed mechanically in a hardwood stand
Good form on cedar and hardwoods
Surprisingly little damage to residual stems
Cedar logs being loaded for transport
Graded bundles ready for loading and hauling