Description:
The heartwood is a warm brown, and there is a clear distinction between the latewood zones, which are darker and denser, and the earlywood zones, which are paler. The sapwood is whitish in color, and thin. The grain is usually straight, and this soft, light timber has a medium to fine texture. Bark inclusions are fairly common, and the outer edges of the annual rings can be rippled or wavy. The wood has a distinctive scent resembling incense. There are many other woods marketed as “cedar” which are in fact unrelated.
Typical dry weight: 35 lb/ft³ (560 kg/m³)
Specific gravity: .56
Properties:
Cedar of Lebanon is brittle and soft, with a low classification in bending, stiffness, crushing, and resistance to shock loads. It is not a good choice for steam-bending, because it exudes resin during this operation. It works well with both machine and hand tools, and has little dulling effect on cutters. Screws and nails hold well and it stains, varnishes and polishes to a good finish. Large knots can be a problem.
Seasoning:
There is a slight inclination to wrap, but the wood dries easily. It has moderate stability in service.
Durability:
It is a durable wood, but can be attacked by pinhole borers and the longhorn beetle. The heartwood resists preservative treatment, and the sapwood exhibits moderate resistance.
Typical Uses:
Joinery, outdoor furniture, building construction, gates and fences. Interesting logs are sliced into veneers for decorative paneling and plywood facing.
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