Juniperus Virginiana, commonly known as Eastern Red Cedar, has unparalleled advantages over competing softwoods. Today, you can find it growing in 37/50 states in climate conditions ranging from Texas to Maine to Florida. Eastern Red Cedar is also known as "Aromatic Cedar" because of the Cedarwood Oil it produces, giving it a scent that can be maintained over a long period of time.

Durability: having 80% the strength of White Oak it's safe to say Eastern Red Cedar is uniquely durable for a softwood. ERC has a Janka hardness of 900 lbf; compared to Cypress @ 510, Western Cedar @ 350 and Redwood @ 450.

Workability: ERC is considered moderate in hardness but high in shock resistance. It holds nails very well because of its strength and straight grain pattern. It also has excellent gluing characteristics, as one of its main uses in the past was for cabinets.

Weather resistant: ERC grows in all types of climate conditions making it very resistant to extreme climate changes. It's abundant amount of small tight knots make it hard for weather to penetrate. It shrinks very little while its drying, usually ending at a 12% M.C.

Insect Resistant: The aromatic scent (Cedarwood Oil) that ERC emits actually repels insects such as termites and moths. It's density and lack of deep knots also help in this case.