Cedar - The Wonder Wood

Most people are aware of the different uses of cedar. It is commonly used as a building material in construction. Lap siding, roofing shingles, decks, handrails, furniture, and tree houses are just a few examples of its application in this field. Cedar hope chests and armoires, and even clothes hangers repel moths, protect clothes, and leave them smelling fresh. It’s also found in the kitchen taking the form of salad bowls, utensils, and serving platters. But not everyone knows why cedar is so useful for making these various items. The purpose of this essay is to inform the reader of the attributes of cedar that make it so useful in so many ways.

King Solomon, well known for his wisdom in legal matters and 40 year reign over the kingdom of Israel, used the cedars of Lebanon in the construction of his temple in Jerusalem. Cedar is naturally decay resistant which makes it a wise choice to construct anything you want to last. In addition to it being decay resistant, it is also weather resistant. Cedar is able to endure the elements without cracking or warping making it a popular choice in construction of homes and furniture.

Whether it’s an old wives tale or not, most people believe that cedar can repel moths. No one likes to find little holes in their favourite wool sweater, or silk blouse. Experts say that it is the larvae of the brown moth that are responsible for those holes. The brown moth larvae feed on natural fibres such as wool, cotton or silk. The larval stage of the brown moth lasts from 71-145 days. Cedar contains aromatic oil that under the right circumstances can kill small moth larvae. An air tight, enclosed space, such as you would find in a cedar hope chest, is ideal for attaining the concentration of oil fumes needed to annihilate the unwanted larvae.

Cedar is light weight, easy to work with, and naturally durable. The natural oils it contains are capable of repelling water. The Native American took advantage of this by crafting canoes, cook ware and even clothing. They would weave clothing from the cedar fibres creating apparel ideal for the rugged environments they lived in. Cedar’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures allowed Native Americans to make bowls they could put heated rocks into to cook their food. Kitchens today hold many items made of this highly functional material.

With so many beneficial applications, construction, bug repellent, and daily tools, cedar can truly be called a wonder wood.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the Vice President of S & L Store Fixtures, a leading online provider of clothes hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.closethangerfactory.com.