Explore the versatility and natural charm of softwood lumber. Ideal for a wide range of projects—from framing and furniture building to trim, panelling, and crafts—our selection includes premium species like pine, fir, and cedar. Softwoods are known for being easy to work with, making them a favourite among DIYers, woodworkers, and professional builders alike. We carry a variety of grades, dimensions, and specialty cuts, including kiln-dried and appearance-grade lumber. Many of our softwood products are responsibly sourced from Canadian forests and selected for their quality and consistency. Whether you're building something new or repairing what’s already there, Windsor Plywood has the materials and expert advice to help you do it right. Stop by your local store to explore our wide inventory and experience the personalized service that sets us apart. We’re here to help bring your project to life—every step of the way.
Aromatic cedar (Juniperus virginiana), also called eastern red cedar or pencil cedar, is a small-diameter tree native to eastern North America known for its distinctive spicy cedar fragrance. The heartwood contains natural aromatic oils that repel moths and other insects. It is used for closet lining, blanket chests, hope chests, drawer bottoms, and cedar chests — applications where moth-repelling fragrance is a functional requirement.
Yes. The volatile oils in fresh aromatic cedar heartwood repel moths and other fabric pests. The effectiveness diminishes as the surface oils evaporate over time, typically several years. Lightly sanding the cedar surface periodically restores the fragrance and the moth-repelling properties by exposing fresh wood beneath the oxidized surface layer.
No. Aromatic cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) are unrelated species used for very different purposes. Western red cedar is a large Pacific coast tree used for exterior siding, decking, and structural applications. Aromatic cedar is a small eastern tree used specifically for its insect-repelling fragrance in interior closet and chest applications.
Windsor Plywood carries aromatic cedar in closet lining tongue-and-groove panels and boards in standard narrow widths suited for interior panelling applications. Availability varies by location. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current aromatic cedar stock for your closet or chest project.
Finishing aromatic cedar with stain, varnish, or polyurethane seals the surface and eliminates the moth-repelling fragrance. For closet lining applications, leave aromatic cedar unfinished or apply only a light coat of oil to preserve the active aromatic oils. If appearance uniformity is important, light sanding without finishing is the preferred approach.