Why we don't buy Cedar!

Why sawmills don’t buy cedar, cedar lumber problems, cedar log value, why cedar isn’t worth milling, cedar wood defects, eastern red cedar milling, cedar yield issues, cedar log pricing, hardwood vs softwood lumber, Bearded Lumber Sawmill, WoodMizer LT70 sawmill, kiln drying cedar, air drying cedar lumber, cedar warping, cedar checking, cedar waste, sawmill profitability, milling logs for lumber, custom sawmill services, North Carolina sawmill, log to lumber process, lumber grading, wood species comparison, cedar woodworking pros and cons—this video explains the real reasons why cedar logs often don’t make the cut at a production sawmill. In this video from Bearded Lumber Sawmill, we break down exactly why we don’t buy cedar logs and what most people don’t realize about milling cedar at scale. While cedar is popular for fencing, outdoor projects, and its natural rot resistance, there are major factors that impact its value, yield, and usability in a sawmill setting. We’ll cover the economics of cedar, including low board yield, high waste, inconsistent log quality, and how defects like knots, splits, and irregular grain structure affect the final product. You’ll also see how cedar behaves during drying (air drying vs kiln drying), including movement, cracking, and stability issues that can reduce usable lumber. Using real-world sawmill experience and our WoodMizer LT70, we explain why cedar often doesn’t compete with higher-value hardwoods when it comes to time, processing effort, and return on investment. If you’ve ever considered milling cedar logs or wondered why some sawmills pass on them, this video gives you a straight answer based on actual production workflow. Whether you’re a landowner, logger, woodworker, or sawmill operator, understanding the limitations of cedar can help you make better decisions about what logs to mill and what lumber to produce. 🪵 What You’ll Learn Why cedar logs are often low-value at sawmills Yield and waste issues when milling cedar Common cedar defects (knots, splits, irregular grain) How cedar dries and why it can be unstable Differences between cedar and hardwood lumber When cedar is worth using (and when it’s not) Sawmill decision-making and profitability ⚙️ Equipment & Process WoodMizer LT70 Sawmill Kiln Drying System Air Drying Lumber Setup Full Log-to-Lumber Workflow 📍 About Bearded Lumber Sawmill Bearded Lumber Sawmill is a full-service hardwood sawmill based in North Carolina, specializing in custom milling, kiln drying, and high-quality lumber production. We focus on maximizing yield, efficiency, and quality from every log that comes through the mill. 👍 Like the video if you learned something new 💬 Drop your thoughts or questions about cedar below 🔔 Subscribe for more sawmill, lumber, and woodworking content #BeardedLumber #Sawmill #WoodMizer #Cedar #Lumber #Woodworking #KilnDrying #AirDrying #LogToLumber #Hardwood #Softwood #CustomLumber #SawingLogs #Woodshop #Forestry We want to give a huge shoutout to Solomon. He helps us so much editing some of the videos. Be sure to check out his channels. ‪@ThirdBeardfishing‬ ‪@11charliescalemodeling‬ Be sure to check out Shearton Park Farms here on YouTube! They are an awesome farm and channel right here in Western North Carolina! ‪@SheratonParkFarms‬ Big thanks to Joe Maine and Wood Mizer for the saw blades we use. Contact Joe Maine @ 229-563-1172 Check out our website www.beardedlumbernc.com We hope you enjoy this video! Please feel free to like, comment, and share, and as always, we will see you back at the mill! The Bearded Lumber Crew