Yellow Redcedar

Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) comes from the Pacific Northwest and ranges from Oregon to Alaska. Is also known as Canadian cypress and is closely related to the true cypresses. It has a uniform buttery-yellow color and a pungent odor. It has uniform straight grain.

The wood has mechanical properties similar to Spanish cypress (a favorite for the backs of flamenco guitars), and it is very stable. Samples I have are quite a bit harder than redcedar and so it can't be scarred as easily.

Yellow cedar is used primarily for lutes and flamenco guitars. Some builders are experimenting with it as a soundboard, and that is why I bought a small stash of it. I have no experience with it yet and haven't found anything written on its use as a soundboard material.