Red Cedar

Red Cedar (Toona ciliata), also known as Australian Red Cedar, is one of Australia’s most famous and valuable timbers. It features a rich reddish-brown to deep mahogany heartwood, often with a straight and even grain, though sometimes wavy or interlocked. The timber has a fine to medium texture and a natural lustre, making it highly desirable for furniture and interior applications.

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Despite being lightweight, Red Cedar is durable and resistant to termites, rot, and decay, making it suitable for indoor and select outdoor uses. It is exceptionally easy to work with, responding well to machining, carving, and polishing, which enhances its natural beauty. Historically, it was a highly sought-after timber for colonial furniture and fine woodcraft. Today, its sustainability is managed carefully due to past overharvesting.

Key Features:

• Rich reddish-brown to mahogany heartwood with a fine grain

• Lightweight yet durable and stable

• Naturally resistant to termites and decay

• Excellent workability, easy to carve, machine, and polish

• Historically significant in Australian woodworking

Common Uses:

• Fine furniture and cabinetry

• Interior joinery and paneling

• Doors, windows, and moldings

• Musical instruments and decorative woodwork

• Boatbuilding (for non-structural applications)

Sustainability:

Due to past overharvesting, Red Cedar is now carefully managed in Australia. It is available through sustainable forestry practices and plantation-grown sources, ensuring its long-term availability.

Density & Hardness:

• Density: Approximately 450–600 kg/m³

• Janka Hardness: Around 3.5–5.0 kN (soft to moderately hard, very easy to work with)