A slightly modified Adirondack Guide Boat called "Blackberry Blossom" on her launch day.  She is #1 of three.

      
Made a bit sturdier than the old-time versions;  planking 1/4" instead of 3/16" to 1/8", addition of sheer clamp, bead-and-cove strips instead of 3" wide planks.   All to withstand the depredations of grandchildren and other dangerous critters.  
Weighs in at a bit over 90 lbs instead of the ideal 75 lbs with laminated spruce frames & stems, yellow cedar skin, elm decks & seats, oak rubs, bronze fastenings, home-made brass hardware.  
No fiberglass! By Marty Hykin

On July 17-19, The West Wind Hardwood crew went to Bedwell Harbour for our first annual camping trip. The weather was spectacular, hiking sailing, crabbing, and good food, were all part of the menu.

The Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata,) also known as the Giant Arborvitae, Pacific Red Cedar, or the “Tree of Life” is one of the two native species of Thuja in North America. This is an ever green coniferous tree in the Cypress family. Western Red Cedar is the provincial tree of British Columbia and has a very long and significant relation with the Native communities of this area.          The Western Red Cedar is a large tree able to grow up to 75m tall and 7m in trunk diameter.  When growing in the open, trees will present a crown that reaches the ground whereas growing in a location where trees are close together the Red Cedar will present a crown only at the top where the sun can reach its leaves.

The biggest Western Red Cedar known in British Columbia, over 74m tall and over 800 years old, was located in Cathedral Grove before it was sadly destroyed by a human provoked fire in the 1970’s. Nowadays the biggest known Western Red Cedar is located in Aberdeen Washington; it is around 53m and 6m on its diameter.

Its foliage forms flat sprays with scale-like leaves in opposite pairs. The foliage sprays are green on the top and green marked white below. Its cones grow slender (15 – 20 mm long and 4 – 5 mm broad) with 8 to 12 thin overlapping scales.

The Western Red Cedar is native to North America.  Carbon-14 and pollen analysis have determined that this type of tree first grew around the Fraser Valley 6600 years ago. Presently, it embraces around 20% of the regions flora. But this tree is able to reproduce and grow in more than one landscape; it can be found at sea level, to an elevation of 1370m above sea level, or even in many swamps.  It likes wet feet.  Nowadays it can be found from southwestern Canada to northwestern United States, from the South of Alaska to the northwest of California.

Some characteristics of this giant are its ability to reproduce under dense shade, and its ability to produce Thujaplicin, which is a chemical substance that serves as a natural fungicide that helps prevent the wood from rotting. This chemical is mostly found on mature trees and its effect can last up to 100 years after the tree has fallen.

The soft red/brown timber is valued for its unique appearance, aroma, and its natural resistance to rot. It contains natural preservatives that resist moisture, insect damage, and decay. This makes it one of the most durable woods worldwide. Its aroma comes from natural compounds that take place in its heartwood. These compounds are toxic to fungi that cause decay, and therefore the wood is naturally preserved. Cedar is adaptable to the environment year round. When it is properly finished it can last for decades even in harsh climate conditions. Another characteristic that makes it one of the favorites for any type of use is its lack of resin which makes it an acceptable wood for a wide range of finishes from fine oils to stains or even paint.

Also Western Red Cedar has flame-spread and smoke-development classifications that are better than the minimum standards set by most building codes. This allows the use of red cedar heartwood without having to expose it to preservative treatments.

The history of the Western Red Cedar dates back centuries. The large number of archeological finds assumes the great importance that this tree has had in the lives of many generations of First Nation tribes; so much so that the Western Red Cedar is commonly known as the “Tree of Life” amongst native North Americans.

There is a Native American legend that relates the origins of the Western Red Cedar. It talks about a very generous man who spent his life giving people whatever they needed. When the Great Spirit realized what this man had done, he stated that when the kind man died, a magnificent Red Cedar would grow right where the man was buried. In memory of what the man had done in life the tree would provide people with useful materials; roots for the making of their baskets, bark for the fabrication of their clothing, and wood to provide shelter.

Native Americans not only used Western Red Cedar materials for baskets, clothing or shelter, but also for the making of their magnificent masks used in their rituals, their huge totem poles, and beautiful canoes.

Traditional uses of cedar
Cedar Mask and Hat		Totem Pole
Cedar Built Longhouse		Dugout Canoe

Thanks to its natural characteristics Western Red Cedar is one of the favorites for a wide range of uses as seen below:

Modern uses of Cedar
Construction: roof and siding		Culinary: BBQ planks
Furniture: Tables and Chairs
Decks and fences		Carving