What is it?
A light, soft, aromatic softwood whose heartwood resists decay without any treatment at all.
Why does it matter?
It is the premium untreated exterior wood of North America - siding, shingles, decking and joinery that has to last outdoors - and it commands multiples of framing lumber prices. Supply is constrained because most of it comes from old natural stands, not plantations.
Where it grows
Coastal British Columbia and the US Pacific Northwest, largely from natural rather than planted forest.What it is used for
Siding and shingles, decking, outdoor joinery, boat building, saunas.What to watch
The decay resistance is in the heartwood only; the pale sapwood has none. Weak and soft, so it is a cladding wood and not a structural one.What it is used for
All end markets →| End market | What it does there | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Housebuilding | Siding, shingles and exterior joinery | Important |