White Cedar Patio Furniture

White cedar patio furniture is an excellent choice for all of your outdoor entertainment needs. Styles exist for almost any purpose from full sized dining tables to low slung chaise lounges designed for lounging poolside.

So exactly what is cedar? There are several different types of wood that are commonly called as cedar. There are two distinct type of cedar that most Americans are familiar with, that cinnamon-colored, pleasantly scented wood and the white variety that is equally scented.

The red cedar actually comes from a North American tree belonging to the cypress family commonly known as Western Red. The Western Red Cedar is a conifer and evergreen tree, similar to pine in its construction, which is native to the coastlines and the more arid regions of the Pacific Northwest.

The Western Red Cedar is a tall, majestic tree, reaching height up to 200 feet when fully grown. The Western Red Cedar has the ability to grow in both wet and arid climates and therefore, it is an incredibly hardy tree that can survive nearly anywhere it is planted.

The tree produces oil that protects it from fungi or other pathogens that would cause it to decay. Consequently, the wood from Western Red Cedar creates durable, long-lasting patio furniture. Also, the aromatic odor of the cedar tree that is pleasant to humans effectively drives away insects and snakes.

The wood falls into the softwood category. Softwood refers not to the actual softness or hardness of the wood, but to the structural characteristics of the tree. In softwood trees, the inner cells of the tree serve two purposes: to conduct water from the roots to the leaves and to provide a supporting skeleton that gives the tree rigidity. Thus, softwood trees are incredibly strong, but not nearly as heavy as some hardwood trees can be. Because Western Red Cedar is lightweight yet durable, it is ideal for use in outdoor patio furniture.

Most of the white cedar patio furniture available in the United States is made from a bleached version of red cedar.

True cedars or white cedars are a part of the pine family. True cedars grow only in Europe and central Asia primarily in the Mediterranean region and around the Himalayas.

True cedars of the old world have played a prominent part in western civilization. Most historians believe that the famous temple and house of Solomon were constructed from white cedar that probably originated in North Africa. Also, the groves of cedar that are prominent in the Lebanon Mountains, are frequently mentioned in the Bible and are also featured on the Lebanese flag.

The Himalayan branch of the cedar family also plays a prominent role in the Hindu religion of India and other central Asian countries. The Hindus, who call it the �tree of God�, venerate the cedar tree.

True cedar has most of the same qualities as the Western Red Cedar. Both trees are hardy and fragrant and possess the same hardiness and resilience against pests and rot. They are much better able to withstand harsh weather or droughts than trees grown in more temperate climates and they produce a greater number of chemicals to combat pathogens. Because of its strength and durability, cedar wood is ideal for structural timber, and it is frequently used in shipbuilding that also makes it perfect for white cedar patio furniture construction.