THE STORY OF PRODUCTS MILLED FROM NORTHERN WHITE CEDAR: "THE CANOE CONIFER"

Native Americans of the Great Lakes region knew of the great durability and insect resistance of northern white cedar. They valued this wood so much that they used it to make their canoe ribs and slats. They even used the oils extracted from the white cedar twigs to make chest decongestants.

When timbermen arrived in the region in the late 1800's, these new pioneers began making white cedar log siding for their bunk houses. Several of these old cedar log homes still stand as a testament to this wood’s longevity.

It wasn't until the early 1900's that northern white cedar was harvested in large quantities to support a growing demand for products made from this superior wood. Today, annual production has grown to over 100 million board feet per year. White cedar logs and timber products are now in demand for fence posts, poles, boats, decks and cedar siding.

The Town & Country Cedar Products division has proven the integrity of building products made from northern white cedar for more than 60 years. White cedar log homes constructed from our log home products has lasted for generations. We recommend northern white cedar for both northern and southern log home building climates.

·  Northern white cedar contains natural preservatives (click here for more information and click the "back button" to return) within the tree itself that resist insects and decay. This is a prime reason white cedar is considered by the United States Department of Agriculture as the wood to use where a high degree of durability and resistance to the elements is necessary. It’s also why white cedar log siding has become the preferred choice of homeowners and log home builders.

·  Heartwood within the tree will last for generations; sapwood easily decays and discolors. White Cedar has a minimal amount of sapwood (approximately ¾ inch on a 10 inch diameter log). Through our sawing, shaping and peeling processes all sapwood has been removed. Sapwood in logs is the reason why you will see a black discolorant in log homes supplied from our competitors especially in pine structures. Pine logs have a large sap ring that makes it almost impossible to remove and dictates annual maintenance.  In addition, pine logs tend to bleed sap when exposed to sun light  that must be continuously removed and restained. This is not a problem with our kiln-dried Northern White Cedar.

·  Northern White Cedar has a closed cell structure. The cell structure resembles that of cork. This cell structure combined with the natural oil provides protection against internal mold and mildew. This is also important in that if properly kiln-dried, it will resist the absorption of moisture from the environment. The process of absorbing moisture from rain, air etc and then the resulting drying effect from wind and sun, is a key component of “checking” and deterioration. (Northern Saunas use nothing but White Cedar log products)

·  The insulation factor of Northern White Cedar is among the highest of any wood. Rated at over 1.4 R- factor per inch, northern white cedar products will provide additional protection for you and your home.

·  Naturally environmentally safe for you and your family.

·  White Cedar, due to its slow growth characteristic and tight growth rings, is dimensionally very stable. If kiln-dried properly, it will not twist, warp or shrink. This helps to reduce or eliminate any additional checking after it has been applied. Checking of external log siding has been and continues to be a problem with all pine log siding products.

. See the attached white cedar log siding vs pine log siding comparison schedule.

CONTACT OUR LOG AND TIMBER HOME PRODUCTS
SERVICE CENTER FOR PRICE, DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION INFORMATION:

Town & Country Cedar Products
Sales & Administrative Offices
04740 Skop Rd
Boyne Falls, Michigan 49713
Toll Free: 888.829.5909
Local: 231.348.5605
Fax 231.549.3140 
Contact: Christa Viles, Customer Service Center