Alaska yellow cedar

Overview

A premium Pacific North-West cypress with a clean, even, pale-yellow colour and a fine texture, valued for carving, boatbuilding and instruments, and for outdoor pieces that need to last. It is stronger and denser than western red cedar, and supply is limited, so it is priced like a specialty wood.

Pros

• Durable to very durable and resistant to most insect attack (Wood Database).
• Easy to work; holds paint well; stains, glues and finishes well (Wood Database).
• Fine, uniform texture and lovely yellow colour.
• Harder than western red cedar (Janka 580 lbf).

Cons

• Supply is limited and prices are high for a domestic species (Wood Database).
• Wavy grain can tear out when planing.
• Skin irritation has been reported.
• Unavailable in many yards; usually special-ordered.

Variants and subspecies

• Botanical name has been changed several times (Callitropsis, Chamaecyparis, Cupressus); all names refer to the same wood.
• Nootka cypress and yellow cypress are alternative trade names.
• Compare Port Orford cedar and Western red cedar.

Working and finishing

Planes, carves and turns very nicely. Check wavy-grained boards for tear-out and take light cuts. It holds paint well and glues reliably.

Staining and finishing colour

Usually finished clear to show the yellow. It takes stains and dyes evenly thanks to the fine, uniform texture. The colour darkens with exposure to light; outdoors it can weather to grey.

Sustainability and handling

Not CITES-listed (Wood Database; checked 2026-09-30); IUCN Least Concern as of 2026-09-30. The Wood Database reports that skin irritation can occur although severe reactions are uncommon.

Popular projects

Carved pieces, boats, outdoor and garden furniture, chests, flutes and soundboards, siding and flooring.

Buying notes

Rarely stocked outside the Pacific North-West; ask specialty yards or mills. No retail listing was opened for this guide, so the price range is an estimate; clear, knot-free boards cost the most.