What is the difference between cedar and pine. Cedar pine, cedar - the king of forests Distinguish cedar from log pine

Materials from conifers wood, due to its characteristics, is very widely used in the construction of not only houses and baths, but also in the construction of gazebos and other objects. Such material is also highly popular in interior decoration, for example, lining is the most popular material for bath decoration. However, it is worth noting that conifers are different.

The properties of pine and cedar are very similar in many ways, but there are still differences. Pine is highly susceptible to shrinkage, which makes it less durable material, and strong, deep furrows appear after drying. If we consider cedar from the point of view of finishing, then we can note many positive aspects. The main ones can be called: the preservation, for a long time, of the original appearance and a beneficial effect on the human body.

Having decided to build houses from cedar, choosing a material, in order not to be deceived by the consumer, it is necessary to know the differences between coniferous materials. After all, a wooden house, depending on the material used, will have different characteristics.

The main differences between cedar and pine are:

Cedar (average) is several times higher than pine;
This breed wood has a longer lifespan, up to 800 years, unlike pine which lives up to 120 years.
Flowering in cedar also occurs later than pine;
The cedar has a small number of furrows, unlike the pine.
Cedar is a more porous tree (like a cork), thus its thermal conductivity is 30% less than that of pine, which means that a 30 cm cedar log will keep heat as well as a 40 cm diameter pine log.

In addition, cedar has warm shade pinkish tone, and over time it acquires a reddish color. Hand-cut log cabins have a pleasant, light aroma, which has a number of medicinal characteristics. Most popular view cedar is Altai. Growing in the Altai Mountains. It is this type of wood that has a unique shade and aroma incomparable with any other Siberian cedar.

Often, hand-cut houses are made from Canadian wood, as it has dark tones that can be remotely compared to a brown or red tint. This type of wood practically does not emit active, healing elements. The smell also has a weak, but many times stronger than pine, but inferior to Siberian cedar. This material will be optimal for the construction of a bath from a gun carriage.

A house made from Far Eastern cedar material will have a color somewhere between red and brown. This material is rather weak amber, but in terms of strength it is not inferior to Siberian cedar. Unlike pine, relatively shallow furrows appear on this material when it dries out.

Cedar and pine are coniferous trees. At first glance, they are very similar, but in reality this is not at all the case. In order to distinguish trees, one should know not only their external features. They differ significantly in the specifics of growth.

How to distinguish cedar from pine? This is presented short story in this article.

general information

Today, the number is ten times higher than the number of cedar species. And it grows in larger areas. In addition, the variability in size and generic characteristics of pine is much more diverse.

It is less capricious to the soil, since its powerful and long roots go deep into the ground, and therefore the tree feeds on useful substances and moisture from the deep layers of the earth.

Places of growth

Cedars grow in the subtropics mountain Crimea, Mediterranean and Himalayas. Depending on the name of the area where they grow, they are divided into types: Himalayan, Crimean, Lebanese, etc.

Pines grow more in temperate subtropical climate North America and Eurasia. In total, scientists distinguish 200 varieties of this coniferous plant. Both cedar and pine are evergreen trees. Various natural conditions they also create various forms of plants from a bush to trees with huge crowns.

Peculiarities

How do cedar and pine grow? Cedar - monoecious evergreen, and the height of a tree with an impressive spreading crown can reach up to 50 meters. The needles, going into bundles, have a spiral arrangement. Each needle, similar to a needle, has a trihedral shape and is painted in emerald-steel color. Cedar cones, located singly and having the shape of a barrel, stand on the shoots with candles. They ripen in the second or third year of formation.

Pine, which is also has long or shortened needles. Needles of two to five pieces are also collected in a bundle. When damage occurs on a tree, rosettes form at this place, from where needles gradually grow. The color of the needles depends on the climate conditions and the composition of the soil. It can vary from rich green to light with a silvery tint. Pine cones are oblong and hang from branches.

Wood

How does cedar differ from pine when using their wood as a building material?

Materials from many coniferous wood species, due to their characteristics, are widely used in the construction of baths, houses, gazebos and other objects. The material is popular in interior decoration. But it should be noted that conifers are different and have differences in quality.

How to distinguish cedar from pine? How not to make a mistake in choosing a material for construction? The properties of these two breeds are similar in many ways, and yet there are some differences. Pine is subject to severe drying, so it is not a very durable material. In addition, after drying, deep furrows appear in it. Cedar in this regard is slightly different from pine, it also has others. positive points, the main of which are the following: a beneficial effect on a person and the preservation of the original appearance for more long time.

A little about the benefits of pine cones

It should be noted the benefits of pine cones. All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine. Its fruits are of particular benefit.

Pine cones - a storehouse a large number useful substances. Young buds rich in the most valuable biologically active compounds are very useful. They are used in traditional medicine for the following purposes:

Finally

The main differences between cedar and pine:

The plant is taller than a pine tree.
It has a longer life span (up to about 800 years) compared to pine (up to 120 years).
Flowering occurs later.
Fewer grooves on the wood.
The thermal conductivity is 30% less than that of pine, which is associated with greater porosity.

Currently, there are many types of lining on the market for finishing materials. Lining made of pine and cedar of various varieties has become widespread. In this article, we will consider some features of the Altai cedar lining, and also tell you how to distinguish it from materials made from other types of wood.

This lining is unique in its own way, since the Gorno-Altai cedar, from the wood of which it is made, grows exclusively in the Altai mountains, it no longer grows in any other regions of Russia, and indeed the world. Untouched nature, special climatic and geophysical conditions in which these trees grow, give the wood special and unique properties. The inhabitants of these places believe that these trees radiate positive energy, drive away evil spirits and strengthen human health. Scientific research confirm that Altai cedars have a whole set of distinctive features and it is not for nothing that they have been considered unusual and very valuable since ancient times.

According to the data obtained from the results of scientific research, Altai cedars, in comparison with other Siberian cedars, have almost 2 times higher density and higher strength indicators. In terms of wood resistance to decay, it surpasses not only such a popular material as pine, but is also identical to larch, which is recognized as practically the standard in this parameter.

Now let's move on to the question, what is the difference between lining made of Altai cedar and how not to confuse it with materials from other types of wood.

First of all, you should pay attention to the color. It should have slightly pinkish shades, by the way, after a while your cedar lining will darken a little and acquire a reddish-pink color, which will give the interior nobility and make it more refined.

Second feature- an indescribable aroma, you will not confuse it with anything, it is a rather strong and very pleasant coniferous smell with unique notes inherent only to this breed.

Lining from Canadian cedar, unlike our Altai, is darker, the color is close to brown or deep red, the smell from the wood is barely perceptible. The Far Eastern or Karelian cedar is slightly brown in color, as well as the Canadian counterpart does not have a strong aroma, so it is difficult to confuse these rocks with their Altai relative if you are careful about the choice.

Separately, there is the question of how to distinguish the Altai cedar lining from the pine one? Everything is quite simple - cedar wood is much lighter, it has a more even and uniform texture. Despite the fact that pine also emits a noticeable coniferous aroma, it is not as pleasant and strong as that of cedar. The smell of cedar should be familiar to you if you have eaten pine nuts, and once you feel it, you cannot confuse it with anything. Also, there is more resin in pine wood, which not only worsens appearance, but also makes this material unsuitable for finishing a steam room.

So, let's repeat the key features lining from the Gorno-Altai cedar:

Colour;
texture;
resinousness;
smell.

Based on the foregoing, we recommend that you take a responsible approach to the choice of finishing materials and turn your attention to cedar lining and imitation timber from Tsar-Kedr, which have a number of amazing qualities.

Clear January day. The snow sparkling under the sun blinds the eyes, and there is such silence around, as if the whole world has plunged into a heavy deep sleep. And this dream is guarded by formidable warriors - majestic Siberian cedars. With an epic cliff rising in the middle of a green ocean, at the sight of which “the hat itself falls off the head from reverence,” Leonid Maksimovich Leonov compared this amazing tree. Its scientific name is siberian pine. Real cedars - Lebanese, Himalayan, Atlas, Cypriot - grow in North Africa, the Himalayas, the Middle East and the island of Cyprus. These are powerful trees with very valuable, pleasantly smelling wood, on the shortened shoots of which the needles are located in 30-40 pieces. Why is Siberian pine often called cedar? Yes, for a special position, longevity, impressive size, fragrant wood: the pioneers of Siberia and North America called any tree with pleasantly smelling wood in the simplicity of the heart called cedar.
A contemporary of A. S. Pushkin, a connoisseur of Siberian forests, naturalist and local historian V. Dmitriev, in the article “Siberian Cedar” in 1818, enthusiastically wrote: “Glory, places beloved by the sun, be proud, Lebanese heights, of your cedars: not seeing you in my fatherland on mother earth, which belongs to Russia, I don’t even dare to magnify you, but in my eyes the shady cedar of rich Siberia will not yield to you in its beauties and will replace you for me. What majesty is in the posture of this tree, what a sacred shadow in the density of its forests! .. "
Siberian pine differs significantly from Scotch pine, although they are close relatives. One of the differences concerns seeds: in Scots pine they are small, with wings, while in Siberian cedar they are well-known nuts. Their color is brown, they are covered with a peel and thin inner shell, under which there is a white oily kernel. In a large cone, there are more than a hundred seeds.
The second difference concerns the needles, the needles of the cedar are longer, lasting longer on the tree, and there are 5 needles in one bunch, while the needles of the common pine are two. The cedar is also distinguished by a more powerful cone-shaped dark green crown. Yes, and he lives one and a half to two times longer - up to 800-850 years.
The height of the Siberian pine is 35-43 meters. Its trunk is brown-gray, in old trees the bark is fissured. Shoots are yellow-brown, covered with long red hairs. root system formed depending on the nature of the soil and soil.
At the end of spring, the cedar pine is dusty and at this time looks especially elegant: crimson-colored male spikelets are clearly visible against the background of dark green needles in the middle and lower parts of the crown. And above female cones, oval, purple, collected in 2-7 pieces at the terminal bud of the shoot. In plantations, trees sometimes come across only with male spikelets. Pollination occurs with the help of wind. In September of the following year, cones with seeds ripen, the shape of which can be ovoid, oblong-ovoid, cylindrical or cone-shaped. Outside, the seeds are covered with strong scales strung on a thick rod.
Siberian cedar is winter-hardy, due to which it goes far to the north. Its artificial plantings can be found in the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, in particular on Solovetsky Islands, Valaam island.
At the same time, the Siberian giant is undemanding to the soil, successfully tolerates both excess and lack of moisture, but prefers areas with sufficient moisture, therefore it grows well at the headwaters and along river valleys.
Pine pine plays an important role in natural complex Siberia. It has been established that the runoff in cedar forests is several times greater than in other forests. It is not surprising that the waters filtered by the cedar massifs supply Baikal with water, feed the powerful rivers of Siberia - the Ob, Yenisei, Lena.
In addition, Siberian pine forests reliably protect soils, especially mountainous ones, from erosion. Cedar massifs located on mountain slopes Southern Siberia, play essential role in the formation of biological and climatic processes. So, they are rich in all living creatures. During the years of abundant seed harvests, the number of sable and squirrels sharply increases. Forest dwellers - jays, nutcrackers, squirrels, chipmunks - have become dexterous in deftly extracting nuts from cones. And the bears, holding the cone with their paws, rip off the scales with their fangs, while the nuts are exposed and go into the mouth without interference.
The existence of 70 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, and many species of insects is associated with cedars. Special mention should be made of the nutcracker bird: feeding on the seeds of the Siberian pine and making reserves for the winter, it contributes to the settlement of the cedar. According to experts, if he did not have such a reliable partner, he could hardly have survived to this day.
People benefit greatly from this unique beautiful tree. The widely known cedar balsam used in instrument making, as well as turpentine, rosin, varnishes, and camphor are made from cedar oleoresin.
Wood Siberian pine- straight-layer, light, strong, easy to process, not susceptible to decay, - used in the production of pencils, drawing boards, musical instruments. The Germans were the first to know about the high resonant qualities of cedar wood. German trading firms, which bought cedar oil in Russia, suddenly demanded that it be exported in containers made of cedar wood, and the thickness of the container boards should be almost doubled. Subsequently, it turned out that when boxes of oil arrived in Germany, they were very carefully broken and cedar boards were sent to musical instrument factories. Thanks to this, trading companies selling cedar oil had a very significant additional income.
Cedar trees, releasing an essential oil with bactericidal properties, heal the air, give it an exquisite aroma. In dishes made from cedar wood, milk does not sour for a long time, but in chests from cedar boards mole does not start. Residents of the Cis-Urals have long preferred Siberian pine for home decoration, a significant thickness of the tree made it possible to obtain wide boards suitable for the manufacture of solid doors. In many cities of Siberia and the Urals - Turinsk, Tyumen, Tobolsk, Tomsk - buildings decorated with intricate wooden lace carved from cedar boards have been preserved. And in one of the temples of Tobolsk, an iconostasis was built from cedar.
There is a lot of ascorbic acid, macro- and microelements in the needles of the cedar pine. It is used to make vitamin flour and carotene paste used in animal husbandry. A persistent brown dye is obtained from the cedar bark, tannins are extracted, and thermal insulation boards are made.
But, perhaps, the most significant for humans are the seeds of the cedar pine, tasty and nutritious. They contain 60-70 percent of a beautiful golden yellow oil, which is of nutritional and technical importance, up to 20 percent of protein, reminiscent of egg in amino acid composition, about 12 percent of carbohydrates, a complex of vitamins, a rich set of macro- and microelements. Cedar oil is not inferior in quality to the famous olive oil, it is used not only by culinary specialists, but also by artists - many famous masters diluted their paints on it.
Healing pine nuts- help with atherosclerosis. AND ethnoscience recommends using not only kernels, but also seed shells, young shoot tips, buds, needles, resin ...
Since ancient times, since the time of Ivan the Terrible, Siberia has been the largest supplier of pine nuts to the world market. According to historians, they were sold to Persia, China, Sweden and other countries. In 1786, Academician P. S. Pallas wrote: “In Switzerland, pine nuts are used in pharmacies; milk is made from them, which is prescribed in chest diseases ... Because of their penetrating, subtle, partly balsamic oil, they are better, why they assure that they were used with benefit by sick people ... ”The main suppliers of nuts were the Tobolsk and Yenisei provinces.
The peoples of Siberia have long treated the valuable plant with great respect, revered it as sacred, the keeper of goodness, truth and justice. In the Surgut region (Khanty-Mansiysk national district, Tyumen region), when laying a new house, residents put a small cedar pine in the front corner, saying: “Here you are, mother-neighbor, warm house and shaggy cedar! The tree remained in the house - it was considered the habitat of the brownie.
According to Evenk legends, cedar helps to live honestly and disinterestedly, is a source of strength, beauty and nobility. At the birth of a son, the Evenki planted a cedar pine near their dwellings, and when a daughter was born, a birch. In the legends and tales of the Nanais of the Amur region, it is said that only good spirits because she is the most generous tree. Emphasizing importance of this plant, the Siberians used to say: "The taiga is alive with cedar." They believed that if a child is given a handful of pine nuts every day, then he will grow up a good fellow, and no illness will overcome him.
There are many mysteries about the cedar pine: “It stands badly, hangs curly, shaggy around the edges, sweet in the middle!”, “Don’t beat me, don’t break me; climb on me: I have!”
Currently, cedar forests occupy about 40 million hectares, or about 5 percent of the territory covered with forests. This makes it possible to collect 1-1.5 million tons of pine nuts in Siberia, but only about 20 thousand tons are harvested. Foresters identified early, large-cone, high-yielding forms of Siberian pine. For their cultivation, plantations are created, on which cuttings taken from high-yielding plants are grafted onto young seedlings. A hectare of such plantations produces 500-600 kilograms, and in some cases 1.5-2 tons of nuts.
Cedar pine plantations are also beginning to appear in the European part of the USSR. However, its closest relative grows here - European cedar pine, listed in the Red Book of the USSR. This rare relic species is found only in the Carpathians. On Far East another relative of the Siberian pine lives - the Korean cedar, which is distinguished by larger cones and needles, a stronger and thicker seed shell. Forests with Korean pine occupy about 4 million hectares in our country. Outside the USSR, the tree grows in eastern China, Korea and Japan.

Due to their remarkable characteristics, coniferous wood building materials are actively used for the construction of houses, baths, gazebos and other objects. They are also used for interior decoration, for example, in the form of lining. However coniferous trees are different, and now we will consider how to distinguish pine from cedar.

Who cares?

You should start with the fact that cedar materials are noticeably more expensive than pine counterparts. And this gives some scope for fraud: under the guise of expensive cedar timber, they can sell you pine timber.

The differences between pine and cedar, which determine the high cost of the latter, are as follows:

Less attractive appearance;
Great tendency to warp and shrinkage;
Higher likelihood of cracking;
Less durability;
different microclimate.

The last point should be given special attention, since this is an important factor in the fact that cedar belongs to the “noble” wood. It contains a whole range of useful substances that are gradually released into the surrounding space, having a positive effect on a person.

Use in construction and decoration

The structural properties of cedar and pine are largely similar, with the exception of the above-mentioned nuances. This is not surprising, because what we call "Siberian cedar" belongs to the genus of pines and is a cedar pine.

The use of cedar as a structural material (for the construction of load-bearing walls or a log house) is not widely used due to the high cost. However, as we have already noted, there are some advantages in the construction of cedar, plus an important one in recent times prestige factor.

But from the point of view of interior decoration, the positive properties of cedar become more pronounced, mainly due to the ability to maintain its appearance for a long time and have a beneficial effect on health.

If you don’t really want to understand the intricacies, but also don’t want to be deceived, take materials from trusted suppliers. For example, you can look here - FaneraMonolit.

Differences

The main difference between cedar and pine lies in the habitat. Pine grows almost everywhere, but cedar does not. Besides:

The average cedar is five meters higher than the same pine.
The life span of cedar is also longer.
Flowering of cedar occurs a little later than pine.
There are more deep furrows on the pine bark and they appear earlier.
And here is how to distinguish cedar from pine by needles: in the first they grow in bunches of five, and in pine in pairs. Thus, the cedar looks more "fluffy".
There are also differences in the shape of the cones. Plus, you can eat pine nuts, but this is not practiced with regard to pine nuts.

And if there is already a bar or lining in front of me?

The first option on how to distinguish cedar from pine in a log house is color. Cedar has a pleasant pinkish tint that hardly fades over time. Pine is a little grayish and the color of its wood quickly fades. If we are talking about logs, it will be especially noticeable at the ends.

The place where there was a knot will be noticeably reddish on the cedar material, but not on the pine.

Cedar wood has a different smell, due to differences in chemical composition pitches. Moreover, the smell of cedar lasts for a long time, even on the processed material.

Also, cedar is slightly lighter than pine, and its wood has a more uniform and even structure.