softwood · Calocedrus decurrens
Incense Cedar wood properties
Also known as: california white cedar.
| Type | softwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Calocedrus decurrens |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,040,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.38 |
| Density (approx) | 24 lb/ft³ (2.0 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 470 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 5.2% / 3.3% |
| Region | Western North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Incense Cedar weighs about 7.9 lb (roughly 24 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 470 lbf is harder than about 12% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: pencils, venetian blinds, fence posts, construction lumber, siding, chests, exterior furniture.
Durability: Dried heartwood is highly resistant to decay, performing reliably in posts and outdoor uses.
Workability: Friendly to hand and machine work, very stable, and it paints, stains and finishes cleanly.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Incense Cedar:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE (1,040,000 lbf/in2), Janka (470 lbf) and shrinkage (T 5.2%, R 3.3%) from The Wood Database, which cites the USDA FPL Wood Handbook. Specific gravity 0.38 is the 12% MC value (page lists basic 0.35, 12% MC 0.38). No dimensional change coefficient given: Incense Cedar has no exact row in the FPL/Hoadley table reproduced by Popular Woodworking, so CT/CR are omitted. Region, uses, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.