Thuja occidentalis
Specifications
Family
Cupressaceae
Species
Thuja occidentalis L.
norden white cedar
Description
The sapwood is thin and white, the heartwood is brownish with a fine texture and straight grain, and its density ranges from 0.30 to 0.41. The growth rings tend to detach during processing. It has poor mechanical strength but is resistant to alterations.
Plant morphology
It is an evergreen conifer with a pyramidal crown, up to 15 m tall, with fibrous reddish-brown or grayish bark, slightly flattened twigs, and leaves with distinct upper and lower surfaces, arranged on the same plane to form fan-like structures. The cones are oblong and reddish-brown with 6-8 scales.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Eastern North America: from the Great Lakes to Nova Scotia in the north; south to the Carolinas and Tennessee.
Habitat and ecology
A lover of moist soils, it is widespread in humid coniferous forests with Atlantic climates and in marshy areas with cool, humid temperate climates characterized by a short growing season. It forms mixed forests with other conifers depending on the habitat (Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, Pinus strobus, and Tsuga canadensis) and various angiosperms (Populus balsamifera, P. tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, B. alleghaniensis, Acer rubrum, and Fraxinus nigra).
Uses
Application areas
It is useful for poles, railway sleepers, boats, shingles, fine carpentry, and craft objects.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
350
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
22
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
49
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
45
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
5520
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Durable
Insect resistance
Resistant