Submitted by Ok-Ordinary-361 t3_1049ggb in Maine
I know eastern red cedar grows in southern maine. It is beautiful, and I want it for projects, but I can't find any places that sell eastern red cedar besides big box stores. Does anyone know why?
Comments
TimothyOilypants t1_j33nk4h wrote
It is not common and does not grow readily in Maine. There is limited commercial opportunity so effort is focused elsewhere.
If you want it, you're going to have to import it from the south.
MontEcola t1_j33tyl9 wrote
What kind of projects? I live on the west coast now. I get wood for bowl turning several ways. I get what they have. I get wood from companies that cut down trees for homeowners, parks, power companies, etc. They need to either shred it up, or pay to dump it at the 'green' landfill. If I take it away, it helps them.
You can search for portable sawmills. Tell them what you are looking for. Keep an eye on the 'materials' and 'free' sections of craigslist. Someone will mill up batches of what they have and post it there. You can put a wanted ad on craigslist too. I bet there is a vendor who has some slab wood in the area.
I have also connected with a couple of loggers who are on the look out for certain woods, like fruit wood or nut trees. A couple years ago, I could not get enough wood. Now I have too much, and more coming in each week.
w1ckedg00d t1_j33qedg wrote
what are you looking for? I have a lot of red cedar but none is processed, just tree length
Ok-Ordinary-361 OP t1_j33ti2s wrote
I'm not too picky. I have pretty much everything required to process. At least 4' in length, 4" with, and 4/4 thickness is what I'm looking for in terms of lumber.
Sufficient_Risk1684 t1_j35beps wrote
These guys only have western red cedar. And if anyone had eastern they would. It's generally a small low quality not millable tree till you get down to probably like Virginia.
Ok-Ordinary-361 OP t1_j36mrxf wrote
Thank you, that is what I was looking for, I kept hearing that it does not grow in maine and was confused because I have seen it in maine.
Sufficient_Risk1684 t1_j36okqy wrote
It grows here as an ornamental, but it's uncommon and usually densely branchy and small diameter. You might find a log or two, but never s truckload. Down south it grows like and is a weed effectively in fencerows etc.
DrMcMeow t1_j33p79y wrote
you can't find it because it isn't common here.
white cedar is what the industry grows and harvests.