Port Orford Cedar

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Native to Oregon and much prized in Japan as a construction timber; why it was planted here in this small corner of North Norfolk, I have no idea!

But of all the conifers that we regularly thin and replace with broadleaf, the Orfords are left well alone until needed.  It's such a lovely timber to work: It's straight grained, cleaves cleanly, steam-bends (as well as ash) and is highly rot resistant.  

No, it's not as visually interesting as maybe board-sawn oak and perhaps not as tough as seasoned beech, but it has an unassuming and delicate grain and has a delightful ginger-like scent. 

Used recently on the splint baskets, I treated the top faces of the bands and handle with my interpretation of a Japanese Kakishibu tannin dye, it's a deep reddish brown and it's as natural a stain as you could ever wish for, and what's more... it's a preservative too!

As a side note; how ever much I've enjoyed working with Orford cedar, I know, that faced with a changing climate, it may not be ideal for sustainable new planting.  However, it has convinced me that there are species out there - which in the past, I may have turned away from - that might just help save our woodlands.  

As I write this, I'm glancing up at one of the new and thriving sweet chestnuts we planted. Not a native species, but a long-established Southern European visitor that is now doing so well in uplifting our drier and increasingly stressed woodland environments.

Yes, I like Port Orford cedar, but perhaps I should like sweet chestnut better!











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