Sugi vs. Western Red Cedar: Property-by-Property
Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) and Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) have identical average dried weight (1.9 lbs per board foot) and nearly identical stiffness (1,109,000 vs 1,110,000 lb-f/in²). Western Red Cedar is somewhat stronger in bending (7,500 vs 5,280 lbs/in²), crushing strength (4,560 vs 4,060 lb-f/in²) and Janka hardness (350 vs 320 lb-f). Sugi has smaller, tighter knots (1/2 to 1-1/2 inch sound knots with few spike knots, versus 1 to 3 inch knots with spike knots in WRC), equal workability, and durable rot resistance. The decisive commercial difference: Sugi is plantation-grown in Japan with legally mandated replanting, giving it moderate, stable pricing, while Western Red Cedar pricing is high and volatile according to market conditions.
Sugi Japanese Cedar boards showing reddish-brown heartwood, light sapwood, and small tight knots
Western Red Cedar boards showing reddish-brown grain with dark streaks and large knots
Property | Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) | Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) |
|---|---|---|
Growing Area | Japan | British Columbia, Washington, Oregon |
Natural / Plantation Grown | Plantation grown | Natural grown |
Tree height | 100-165 ft | 165-200 ft |
Tree diameter | 6-10 ft | 7-13 ft |
Average dried weight | 1.9 lbs per board foot | 1.9 lbs per board foot |
Janka hardness | 320 lb-f | 350 lb-f |
Bending strength (MOR) | 5,280 lbs/in2 | 7,500 lbs/in2 |
Stiffness (MOE) | 1,109,000 lb-f/in2 | 1,110,000 lb-f/in2 |
Crushing strength | 4,060 lb-f/in2 | 4,560 lb-f/in2 |
Color / appearance | Reddish brown, light sap color | Reddish to pink/brown, random dark streaks |
Knot structure | 1/2"-1-1/2" sound knots, few spike knots | 1"-3" sound knots, spike knots |
Rot resistance | Durable | Durable to very durable |
Workability | Easy to Work, glues and stains well | Easy to work, glues and stains well |
Price | Moderate, stable due to vast supply | High, volatile according to market conditions |