Cedar lumber collection
Closest Kingma softwood/outdoor path when an exact listing is not available.
View optionPort Orford Cedar Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Softwood lumber species
Port Orford Cedar is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameChamaecyparis lawsoniana
Janka hardness590 lbf
Average dried weight29 lb/ft³
Best fitVarious interior millwork
Overview
Why choose Port Orford Cedar?
Port Orford Cedar is a softwood lumber species. Its natural range is Pacific Northwest of the United States. Common uses include various interior millwork, decking, chests, boxes, boatbuilding, musical instruments such as guitar soundboards and arrow shafts.
Scientific nameChamaecyparis lawsoniana
DistributionPacific Northwest of the United States
ShrinkageRadial: 4.6%, Tangential: 6.9%, Volumetric: 10.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
DurabilityReported as durable to very durable for decay resistance, and it resists most insects too.
Port Orford Cedar colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is light yellowish brown. The sapwood runs from almost white to pale yellow-brown, and it is not clearly set apart from the heartwood.
The grain is dead straight, which is why the wood is sometimes used for arrow shafts, and the texture is uniform and medium to fine.
Working notes
Hand and machine tools cut it easily, and it holds paint well.
Reports link Port Orford Cedar to skin irritation, breathing symptoms like asthma and a runny nose in some individuals, though serious reactions are rare.
Port Orford Cedar should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Port Orford Cedar
Best projects
Common uses include various interior millwork, decking, chests, boxes, boatbuilding, musical instruments such as guitar soundboards and arrow shafts.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Port Orford Cedar from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
White Oak lumber collection
A harder outdoor-aware hardwood alternative when the project calls for durability rather than softwood character.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Port Orford Cedar FAQ
What is Port Orford Cedar best used for?
Common uses include various interior millwork, decking, chests, boxes, boatbuilding, musical instruments such as guitar soundboards and arrow shafts. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Port Orford Cedar beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Port Orford Cedar?
The buying section on this page links to any Port Orford Cedar Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.