Drying cedar

[rozehr]

We have some cedar logs at the sawyer hoping to get usable boards for the interior of our retirement house. Seeking to obtain info as to drying it and knowing when it is dry enough. Also, wondering what kind of finish to apply. Thanks for your response. Rozehr

 

[discounthunter]

basic rule ; 1 year per 1", out of weather stacked and stickered. less if kiln dryed or other drying factors used. solar,fan,sunlight ect.

i put my cedar up in my shop "attic" .works like a kiln in the georgia summer.

 

[forestryworks]

Poor quality juniper logs will warp bad.

Hope your logs were good quality (clear heart, minimal defects, etc.)

 

[discounthunter]

Poor quality juniper logs will warp bad.

Hope your logs were good quality (clear heart, minimal defects, etc.)

mature eastern red cedar. cut and stacked for about six months moved indoors to a garage for another couple of months ,then put in the rafters. only had a couple boards with pith crack. no warping so far .been over a year.

 

[VA-Sawyer]

Is it ERC ? I've have good luck with it drying fairly warp free and quick.
Rick

 

[dustytools]

Cedar takes well to flat sawing which is a plus because it reduces waste. 6 to 8 months in the summer sun and wind and you should be in the ballpark. If its gonna be used indoors and out of the sun I would suggest no finish if you like the aroma. Its also very rot and insect resistant.

 

[Cody Colston]

We have some cedar logs at the sawyer hoping to get usable boards for the interior of our retirement house. Seeking to obtain info as to drying it and knowing when it is dry enough. Also, wondering what kind of finish to apply. Thanks for your response. Rozehr

I'm not familiar with other species, but Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperas Virginiana) dries very easily and very quickly. Within four to six weeks of decent air-drying weather, it will be ready to use indoors. Around 10% - 12% moisture content is optimum as it becomes too brittle and splintery if any drier. It is also very stable with minimal shrinkage from wet to dry state. Used outdoors, it can be cut and installed the same day.

It will lose the Cedar aroma during drying but that can be restored by sanding or by the application of cedar oil. Any finish applied will also mask the Cedar smell.

I would recommend an oil-based varnish if you want a film finish. It should do well when applied to wall coverings which are open to the air. Film finishes applied to enclosed Cedar surfaces can become softened by the vapors of the natural Cedar oil. A coat of drying oil, like Boiled Linseed Oil applied first and allowed to fully cure (a week minimum) and then topcoated with a varnish will help preserve the deep red/purplish hues of the Cedar. Eventually, though, it will turn brown.

I've built a lot of outdoor furniture from ERC as well as several Cedar blanket chests and even an entertainment center. I have 400 bft of 4/4 planks air drying right now for future projects.