Scientific Name
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Trade Name
Port Orford cedar
Family Name
Cupressaceae
Common Names
FALSE cypress, Ginuer pine, Lawson cypress, Lawson false cypress, Lawson’s cypress, Oregon cedar, Port Orford cedar, Port Orford white cedar, White cedar
Regions of Distribution
North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe
Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
New Zealand, United States
Common Uses
Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chests, Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Factory construction, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Lifeboats, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments: piano, Oars, Piling, Plaques, Plywood: veneer (marine), Porch columns, Posts, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Toys, Vats
Environmental Profile
| Abundant/Secure | ||||||||||||
| Widespread | ||||||||||||
| Rare within its natural habitat | ||||||||||||
| Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk) | ||||||||||||
| Likely rare at the periphery of its range | ||||||||||||
| Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center | ||||||||||||
| Data source is Nature Conservancy | ||||||||||||
| Apparently secure globally | ||||||||||||
| Abundant |
Distribution Overview
Port-Orford-cedar has a very limited distribution, occurring near the Pacific Ocean in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. The northern limit of its distribution is near Coos Bay, Oregon. The species’ range extends southward about 220 miles (350 km) to the central portion of the Mad River drainage in Humbolt County, California. Isolated populations occur near Mount Shasta and the Trinity Mountains in northern California. It occurs in greatest abundance within about 40 miles of the coast. Farther inland, its distribution is spotty, and it is mostly limited to sites with abundant soil moisture and/or atmospheric moisture. Port-Orford-cedar is cultivated in Hawaii, New Zealand and Europe.
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| White to cream | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Yellowish tan | ||||||||||||
| Pinkish brown | ||||||||||||
| Pale – yellow |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Same as heartwood | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow | ||||||||||||
| Paler than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Color not distinct from heartwood |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Growth rings (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Weak (figure) |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Weak figure | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Clear growth rings (figure) |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium to coarse | ||||||||||||
| Fair to medium coarse | ||||||||||||
| Coarse |
Luster
| Low | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous |
Natural Growth Defects
| Gum/resin exudation |
Natural Durability
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
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