The Forestry Forum

I'm going to start a cabin approximately 35' by 18'. My property has lots of eastern White cedar. Can I use this for my sills? What about for the actual timber for the frame?
My brothers and I built a barn in Maine a few years back.

cedar is one of the most common woods in older frames in my area, especially for sills and lower joists. I've used it plenty in frames, it is tough to chisel cleanly.

Look at the engineering strength tables in the forum extras section see if you have material that will meet your needs.  Note, the grade.  I doubt your trees are rot free, if they have bug holes or rot they will not make good timbers if they are clear and free of rot and have 8" plus tops with good length, you might be better off selling it instead of using it.  If you were closer I would buy it off you then you could go buy some white pine for the frame.

Of course nothing better for rot resistance ;D
max