Traditionally used to store clothes and linens, they were treasured possessions passed down from generation to generation. Cedar wood was vital, as its natural oils acted as a natural insect repellent, protecting garments from moths and other pests.
Historically, cedar chests were an heirloom item that would be passed down generation to generation. The choice of cedar wood for these chests was because cedar is renowned for its natural aroma and insect-repelling qualities, which helped protect the contents from moths and other pests.
First determine if the lid is strong enough to hold a person. It then can be as easy as just placing a cushion on top. If not strong enough; a piece of plywood with foam and a fabric covering can be made. A ceder chest really doesn't make for a good seating as there is no relief on the bottom for the heal of the foot.
With cedar's natural ability to keep bugs at bay, it's safe to store heirloom items inside a cedar chest like handmade quilts, blankets, clothing and keepsakes you've inherited. It's important to note that bed bugs won't eat or damage wood, they cannot chew wood or fabric.
While cedar wood is naturally resistant to rot and insect damage, it has some disadvantages. Cedar can be relatively expensive compared to other softwoods. It may also have a strong aroma that some people find unpleasant. Additionally, cedar can be prone to splitting and splintering if not handled properly.
So we took the question to the experts who manufacture cedar chests, and here is what they had to say: It's OK to put photos in the chest as long as they are stored in an archival box with acid-free paper. Don't let the photos touch the wood itself, as it's acidic and could ruin the photos.
Our results suggest that plicatic acid, a unique constituent of cedar wood, and abietic acid, the major constituent in pine resin, can produce lytic damage to alveolar, tracheal, and bronchial epithelial cells.
Thanks to cedar wood's amazing water resistance properties you don't need to fear mold growing inside of your chest. Decay resistant – Your cedar chest will not rot away with age.
Today, hope chests are more often used to store heirlooms. While they are not commonly used as a dowry payment anymore, many cultures, like the Amish, use hope chests as a gift to a young couple. Mothers will often add family treasures to the chest.
An old cedar chest's worth is based on its age, condition or rarity -- starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more. If the hardware is original then it is worth more and can fetch about $200 to $400. Find a collection of old cedar chests on 1stDibs today.
Cedar chests are great for storing clothing, blankets, and delicate fabrics. Because the oil in cedar wood is an all-natural insect repellent that keeps moths and other pests at bay, you can store these items without worrying that they'll get damaged.
It is used in smudging rituals to cleanse a space from negative energies, which prepares the environment for healing ceremonies. Cedar smoke is believed to carry prayers to the spiritual world, bridging the gap between earth and sky.
On the other hand, the aromatic cedar lining inside does not need to be sealed, and leaving it bare is the traditional approach. When that distinctive cedar smell fades, just scuff-sand it lightly to rejuvenate the aroma.
Cedar can and will rot and decay, it just takes alot longer than other wood. It can become weak and brittle so it depends on the design of your chairs and the thickness of the planks as to whether or not they'll hold up and support the weight you're going for.
In 1982, a cross-sectional study of the respiratory health of red cedar sawmill workers showed that cedar sawmill workers had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic respi- ratory symptoms and lower lung function compared with a group of control subjects even after excluding subjects with asthma from the analysis, ...
A bark beetle, several wood borers and spider mites may be the most important for nursery growers. Table 1 lists the common insects known to occur on these tree species. Perhaps the most common insect is the cedar bark beetle, which has been routinely found on drought-stressed trees that are dead or dying.
The level of toxicity would depend on the type of Cedar and also how much was ingested at the time. Eastern red cedar trees are highly toxic in both their berries and leaves and also their bark. Western red cedar trees are only mildly toxic.
Normally, cedar would not give off a rancid smell unless it had absorbed the scent of something stored in it or something the chest was treated with.
A cedar-lined closet can be a great way to give a space a clean smell and even offer protection against fabric-damaging insects, like moths. Store-bought cedar lining kits, as well as cedar planks, can be found at most home improvement stores and are often easy to install.
Clothing is often stored in cedar chests because cedar wood contains natural oils and aromatic compounds that repel insects and moths, which can damage and eat clothing fibers. These aromatic properties of cedar wood help to prevent pests and keep the clothing fresh and protected for a longer time.
Cedar is the more expensive of the two for several reasons. Pine is a more abundant wood because it's easier to grow and replenish. Cedar's higher durability also leads to suppliers charging more for that wood.
One of the most toxic cedars is white cedar—Melia azedarach (also known as bead tree, chinaberry tree, paradise tree, and Persian lilac among other names), which, according to the ASPCA, is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses and can cause symptoms like drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures1.
Cedar wood is used for totem poles, carvings, masks and longhouses, as well as canoes, paddles, hooks, spears and fishing floats. Fish are preserved in cedar smokehouses or dried on cedar racks. Western red cedar is also used by Indigenous people to make bentwood boxes to store food or other goods.