CUSTOM WOOD SIGNS

Western red cedar has been revered for thousands of years. Its versatility made the tree essential to Native people, prompting them to place it as a central part of their lives. The cedar tree represented the visible and invisible forces of life.  They recognized the tree fed with the help of fungi from the nutrients in the soil. The trees drank water from underground streams that once were oceans – which were clouds. They understood the leaves feed on sunlight. They recognized the freshness of the forest air as oxygen and water vapor. They watched quietly as birds, wind, and rain spread the tree’s seeds, insects and the wind pollinated the tree’s flowers, and creatures broke down the fallen leaves into topsoil. The great cedar tree became the metaphor for great wisdom.  The cedar’s giving spirit provided people with food, shelter, and medicine, literally from the wooden cradle to the wooden coffin. Working with tools made of stone, bone, or shell, craftsman-carved canoes, tot...

There has been a lot of talk about how California Redwood makes the better wood signboard. Some people suggest using only "Clear All Heart” Redwood, most of which is old-growth. Well, I’m sorry, I don’t care how well managed or thoughtful - old-growth Redwood forests are NOT a sustainable resource.  These same folks often suggest that Redwood takes and holds paint better than Cedar - that Western Red Cedar doesn't even come close. I’m afraid these folks have it all backward! First of all, it is important to say that Western Red Cedar and California Redwood are from the same genus (an organism's taxonomic hierarchy, e.g., species, genus, family, order, class, etc.) and have a lot of similarities.  The most significant difference is that Western Red Cedar has much greater structural integrity than Redwood for two fundamental reasons. Firstly, Western Red Cedar has far greater flexural strength (the ability to flex without shattering or splintering) than California Redwood. H...

Western Red Cedar is one of the few wood species that are just naturally at home outdoors. When properly finished, Western Red Cedar will gracefully weather for decades, even in the harshest environments. Its natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insect damage makes it the ideal choice for a surface exposed to sun, rain, heat, and cold all year round. For thousands of years, aboriginals have used cedar bark along British Columbia’s Pacific coast to make rope, clothing, and baskets. The logs were used for canoes, totem poles, masks, and long houses.  The hallmark characteristic of Western Red Cedar, its natural durability, has preserved examples of native culture for more than 100 years. For centuries, builders and artisans have valued Western Red Cedar for its natural beauty and durability. Cedar's unique aroma comes from naturally occurring thujaplicins in its heartwood. As many homeowners are too well aware, readying their deck for summer is all about tending to their ...