How Sustainable Is Growing Western Red Cedar

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in today's society. As we become more aware of our actions impact on the environment, we must make conscious decisions to ensure that we are living in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way for future generations.

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One way to promote sustainability is by using renewable and environmentally friendly materials. Western Red Cedar is a type of wood that is beautiful, durable, and sustainable. This type of wood comes from the Western Red Cedar tree, native to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada. The tree is known for its strong and lightweight properties, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use. Outdoor furniture and custom woodworking signs are famous for businesses, parks, and homes looking to add a touch of natural beauty to their outdoor space. By choosing Western Red Cedar for these custom made wooden signs, you can ensure that you use a sustainable and eco-friendly material. One of the main reasons Western Red Cedar is considered a sustainable material is its renewability. The Western Red Cedar tree is known for its rapid growth rate, with some trees reaching maturity in as little as 20 years. This means forests can be quickly replenished and harvested sustainably without harming the environment.

In addition to its renewability, Western Red Cedar is also a durable and long-lasting material. It is naturally resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use. This means that outdoor wood signs made from Western Red Cedar will require minimal maintenance and have a long lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and ultimately reducing waste. As western red cedar trees grow, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere while releasing oxygen. That effectively offsets carbon during their long lifespan of over 1000 years. Western Red Cedar trees pull a lot of greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere and can store a lot as they grow big and tall - 200 feet bib and 4 feet in diameter!

Western red cedar is highly available thanks to the sustainably managed stock and large tree sizes. North American forests are abundant with western red cedar trees. New trees are regularly planted to replace harvested ones, keeping the stock high. At least three new trees are planted for every Western Red Cedar cut down in CanadaOver 40 billion board feet of Western Red Cedar timber are in the United States, and approximately 8 billion more are in growing stock. Because Western Red Cedar is lightweight, it is easy to work with and transport. This can reduce the energy and resources needed to manufacture and install outdoor wood signs, further contributing to sustainability efforts. Western Red Cedar furniture and custom personalized wood signs are sustainable due to the carbon capture during the products’ long life. Though cedar timber is soft and low-strength, it is rated as durable because of its resistance to decay. Western Red Cedar is favored for many outdoor products, from garden decking to fence posts. Cedar decking can last 20 years with proper care. Hand-split Western Red Cedar shakes will last a hundred years on a roof! It's True! Consider the Totem poles from over a hundred years ago.
 
Even when cedar wood decays naturally in the forest, the carbon stored in the wood is released back into the atmosphere. See? Lawn furniture and rustic wood signs can be a good way of keeping carbon out of the atmosphere! In addition to its practical and environmental benefits, Western Red Cedar is also a beautiful and versatile material. Its natural reddish-brown color and distinct grain patterns give outdoor wood signs a unique and rustic look that will make a statement. Whether used for directional, informational, or decorative signs, Western Red Cedar adds a touch of natural beauty to any outdoor space.
When choosing outdoor wood signs made from Western Red Cedar, it is essential to consider the source of the wood. Look for signs that are made from sustainably harvested Western Red Cedar, preferably from forests certified by organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). This ensures that the wood has been sourced responsibly and ethically without harming the environment or local communities. Sustainable management of forests means that trees are cut down for timber only when they are mature. These trees will then be able to regrow and eventually replace the loss of canopy, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and reduce the effect of climate change. 
Sustainability is essential today, and choosing materials such as Western Red Cedar for custom wood signs is a step in the right direction. By opting for a renewable, durable, and beautiful material like Western Red Cedar, you can create outdoor signs that look great and contribute to a more sustainable future. So, next time you need outdoor signage, consider Western Red Cedar for a truly eco-friendly and long-lasting option.

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