working with and finishing cedar

[nanook]

I have just gotten and processed some, what I believe, are red cedar power poles. Have made some paneling and some large beams. Wood is really dry and very nice. Who can give suggestions as to the best way to finish the ceiling beams and any paneling I make. I guess the cedar smell might not stay if certain types of finish are used. What will accentuate the grain and character without changing the color? Is there any reason to sticker this wood when it is stored? Thanks for any feedback I get. Nanook

[WDH]

There is western red cedar and eastern red cedar.  They are very different.  I suspect that you have western red cedar as I have not heard of eastern red cedar being used for power poles.  Do you plan to put it up rough or will you plane it smooth?

[nanook]

I realize that finishing is a matter of personal preference but my initial thought is to plane the beams. I agree that what I have is Western Red Cedar. I'm guessing that if they're planed the grain will show better.

[SwampDonkey]

I was also wondering where the western red cedar poles came from in Nova Scotia. Poles in the Maritimes are mostly red pine and some eastern white cedar poles as well. ;)

[nanook]

Believe they were brought here from British Columbia by train. I got about 50 poles and some are red pine which was treated and not much use. The nicest ones are, I believe, red cedar.......definitely cedar......although they could be white cedar. The color is mostly light to medium shades of brown/tan with some tinges of red and a definite cedar smell. I don't believe the maritimes have any cedar that size.

[SwampDonkey]

We have quite few telephone pole white cedar in use today in rural areas. I know a couple spots they never even removed the bark from the poles. Back when I was a kid it was all white cedar, they cut them all down and replaced with treated pine in the 70's. The cedar stood for 30 years. I've got an original white cedar pole (picture below) from the 40's still standing with the NBPOWER mark and number still on the pole. That wasn't good enough, they even replaced those pine again with new treated poles in the late 80's. Lots of white cedar around that is 16-30" dbh, but most of the big stands are getting harvested off over the years.

People think if they cut off the cedar they are going to get something better to grow on the site. Won't happen. Cedar is growing there for a reason. ;) Usually what they end up with is beaver ponds now since trapping is pretty much non existent.

[nanook]

Does white cedar have the typical cedar smell? When the wood is cut/milled what is the usual color?

[SwampDonkey]

White cedar is aromatic yes when fresh cut. Heart is straw brown. Very dry wood. Very narrow growth rings.

Western red will have a faint sweet odor.

[nas]

All the bigger poles here in Ontario are red cedar brought here by train.

Nick

[Charles]

I believe you have Western Red. The finish should be smooth and the cedar at 12% MC or slightly less  if you want the finish to stick well. If you google finishing western red there is ton of info on different finishes

charlie

[Kevin]

Look to see if there is a brand on the pole, you may see WRC or WC.

[shelbycharger400]

the red pine, wood had a sweet smell similar to cedar,  its brownish pink

[tomsteve]

heres what i like to do, and ya may want to try it on a sample piece: mix up some boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. i usually go about 70-30 with 70 being the BLO. brush it on, let it sit about 5 minutes and wipe off any excess. let it dry at least 24 hours. apply 2 coats of gloss poly and then top it with a coat of satin poly. makes wood pretty purdy.

[tomsteve]

cant figger out how to get a photo on here, but in my gallery theres a picture of a cedar chest i did this way