FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why salvage?
Using 'green' salvage and recovery methods, Island Cypress harvests under-utilized lower grade and smaller yellow-cedar trees, snags and timber left behind by large scale cuts. Operators of smaller mills on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 'recover' finished product of export-grade. Salvage is environmentally sound and economically feasible.

2. What are Island Cypress Grade Rules?
Island Cypress has developed its own in-house grade rules that can best be described as 'NLGA-plus' that limit stain and sap wood to less than 5% in any structural, decking or panelling product.

In North America structural grades are in accordance with the National Lumber Grades Authority (NGLA) rules for dimension lumber. Yellow-Cedar is currently marketed under the Northern Species group making its official structural design value lower than SPF, Hem-Fir, or DFir-Larch. However, Yellow-Cedar is used structurally for its appearance and for its decay resistance.

3. How to place Quantity Orders
Please contact us for orders of large quantity. Delivery will depend upon log availability.

4. Where can I buy Yellow-Cedar?

Contact us for more details on purchasing Yellow-Cedar.

5. How termite resistant is Yellow-Cedar?

Journal of Economic Entomology, Vol 94 No.2, April 2001

Alaskan yellow cedar showed significant natural resistance to Formosan termites and was significantly less preferred than bald cypress and redwood. Grace and Yamamoto (1994) observed mortality and feeding deterrence on small colonies of C. Formosanus when presented with Alaskan yellow cedar. In this study, Alaskan yellow cedar induced significantly higher feeding deterrence to Formosan termites than western red cedar and sinker cypress [Taxodium distichum (L)].

This result is highly encouraging because this wood species is of great commercial value and suitable for construction (McDonald et al. 1997). In the multiple choice feeding test, there was no significant difference in preference for 6 to 8 year old, and new Alaskan yellow cedar, indicating that the properties of this wood do not deteriorate after 8 years of storage. Exposure to the elements for 9 years in British Columbia affected the properties of Alaskan yellow cedar. However, 9 year exposed Alaskan yellow cedar was significantly less preferred than bald cypress, western red cedar heartwood, and ponderosa pine, and there was no significant difference in preference among 9 year exposed Alaskan yellow cedar, black cherry, redwood, basswood, and honey locust.

Exposure to the environment can diminish wood natural resistance by changing its chemical and physical characteristics through exposure to rain, sunlight, and microorganisms (Bultman and Southwell 1976). Deterioration of Alaskan yellow cedar may proceed faster in warmer climates, but the use of this wood species has not been widespread and the data are not available at present. More studies should be conducted on the effect of warmer environments on the deterioration of Alaskan yellow cedar termite-resistance properties.

Sassafras was the only North American hardwood to show significant natural resistance to Formosan termite. In this study, feeding deterrence induced by sassafras was statistically similar to that induced by Alaskan yellow cedar.

From Juan A. Morales- Ramos and M. Guadalupe Rojas, Formosan Subterranean Termite Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Centre, New Orleans, LA 70124, Nutritional Ecology of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isopter: Rhinotermidae): Feeding Response to Commercial Wood Species, Journal of Economic Entomology, Vol 94 No.2, April 2001.

University of Hawaii; J. Kenneth Grace & Robin T. Yamamoto

"These laboratory results demonstrate that Alaska-cedar heartwood is at least as resistant to Formaosan subterranean termite attack as redwood. They also suggest that Alaska-cedar may be less preferred than redwood when both woods are available to foraging termites.

Although data on field performance are needed, Alaska-cedar appears to be a suitable alternative to redwood for use in construction in regions where subterranean termites pose the major hazard.

Since termites did feed, albeit to a very limited extent, on both redwood and Alaska-cedar in our assays, the naturally durable woods would be considered 'termite resistant' rather than 'termite proof'.

Our results support the conclusion that these naturally durable woods compare favorably in their termite resistance to preservative-treated wood. However, neither type of wood should be considered completely immune from termite attack. No matter the degree of chemical or natural protection, wood products should be used in building construction in conjunction with termite-resistant architectural design, and insecticidal or physical barriers in the soil to foraging termites."

Natural Resistance of Alaska-Cedar, redwood, and teak to Formosan subterranean termites (Forest Products Journal, 1994)

6. Does blue or brown stain effect the strength?
A study done by USDA ARC in 2003 showed that there is no difference in MOE or MOR between stained and unstained Yellow-Cedar. However, stain will diminish Yellow-Cedar resistance to termites and perhaps decay.

7. How to prepare yellow-cedar for staining, sanding & gluing
If oil-based primers or varnishes are to be used, it is not necessary to remove the surface extractives. If a water-based finish is required, wipe the surface with Texanol or other paint thinner. If the wood is old or has been exposed to the air for a long time, a varsol-type product may be needed.

Sanding with a 60 or 80 grit paper is recommended, and the wood should be as dry as possible before applying the finish.

Any polyurethane glue used as per the instructions will yield good results.

8. How does yellow-cedar compare with long leaf pine and Douglas fir?
Read about yellow-cedar's performance and comparisons here.

9. Articles & Papers:

• Termite resistance
• The sporicidal activity of Yellow-Cedar heartwood
• Wood properties of dead Yellow-Cedar
• Yellow-Cedar bridge