Shop Tennessee Cedar

Tennessee Cedar plywood is faced with aromatic red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), often referred to as Eastern or Tennessee Cedar. This softwood is unique for its powerful, pleasant fragrance, distinct coloration, and natural ability to repel moths and insects. It is the ideal choice for specialty interior plywood and panel supplier needs, particularly for closet and storage applications. The properties below generally refer to Aromatic Red Cedar, the face veneer used in this plywood:

• Janka Rating: Aromatic Red Cedar averages 900 lbf (pounds-force). This is relatively soft compared to hardwoods like Oak or Maple but durable enough for its intended use in paneling.
  
  
• Color/Appearance: Highly distinct. It features creamy white sapwood sharply contrasted by purple-red to dark red heartwood. This combination creates a striking, unique figure.
  
  
• Grain/Texture: The grain is straight, with a fine, uniform texture. It often contains small, tight knots, which are characteristic and contribute to its rustic appearance.
  
  
• Rot Resistance: Rated as durable to very durable. The heartwood contains natural oils (phenols) that provide exceptional resistance to decay and insects, including termites. It is one of the most durable softwoods.
  
  
• Workability: Generally very easy to work with hand and power tools. However, its low density requires care when nailing near edges to prevent splitting. It takes glue well.
  
  
• Odor: Distinctive, strong, and aromatic, which is the wood's primary benefit for closet applications as it naturally repels clothes moths.
  
  
• Common Uses: Lining closets and chests, small specialty boxes, veneer, and fence posts (due to rot resistance).
  
  

To ensure you maximize the benefits of this unique material, here is essential information for working with and maintaining Tennessee Cedar plywood:

• Plywood Core vs. Solid Cedar: While solid cedar planks are traditional, cedar plywood offers superior dimensional stability and speed of installation for lining large areas like walk-in closets. The veneer face provides the same aromatic and repellent benefits as solid stock.
  
  
• Maintaining the Aroma: The moth-repelling scent of aromatic cedar is strongest when the wood is fresh. Over time, the surface oils oxidize, and the scent fades. To renew the cedar's effectiveness and scent, simply lightly sand the exposed wood surface with medium-grit sandpaper (around 80-120 grit). This exposes fresh, aromatic wood underneath, extending the material's useful life indefinitely.
  
  
• Finishing and Sealing: It is strongly recommended not to seal or finish Tennessee Cedar plywood when used for moth-repelling storage. Clear coats, paints, or sealers will trap the essential oils, completely blocking the wood's beneficial aroma and preventing it from acting as a natural repellent.
  
  

Best Use Cases:

• Closet Liners: The primary application for protecting wool, fur, and delicate fabrics.
  
  
• Drawer Bottoms: Adding a cedar panel to the bottom of drawers provides localized protection.
  
  
• Storage Chests: Building the interior lining of blanket or linen chests.
  
  
• Decorative Paneling: Used in bathrooms or utility areas for its moisture resistance and aesthetic appeal (but should not be sanded in these areas if finished).
  
  

For projects requiring a unique interior finish, Tennessee Cedar plywood offers a striking combination of color and function, making it an ideal choice for specialty interior plywood and panel supplier needs. Edensaw Woods (Edensaw.com), based in Port Townsend-Tacoma, Washington, proudly serves the Seattle-Port Townsend-Tacoma area and the nearby Pacific Northwest region. As your local domestic and exotic supplier and specialty lumber and wood supplier, we stock a wide selection of top-quality wood panels and plywood. Whether you need Aromatic Cedar for storage or a high-grade panel like Maple or Cherry (Prefin), Edensaw Woods has your solution. Our extensive inventory boasts: Alder, Ash, Beech, Birch, Birch (Prefin), Cherry, Cherry (Prefin), Fir, Hickory, Khaya, Maple, Poplar, Red Oak, Sapele, Shop, Tennessee Cedar, Walnut, White Oak, and assorted plywood and panels. Review our full range of products and available services, or contact us for expert assistance. We encourage you to tell us about your completed project! using our materials.