For these reasons it is the preferred wood for structural members such as posts, beams and flooring. Cedar is softer and damages easily but it has a more attractive grain and coloration than Cypress. Cut easily , lightweight cedar is ideal for the construction of moveable partions in the interior of a house. Both cypress and cedar have become scarce during this century, and wood which once was used in the construction of the entire house is now used only for those elements that are exceptionally important. Today, we have a global problem with precious woods like cypress and cedar.
Japanese aesthetics create a tremendous global demand for fine wood.
Because the Japanese have consumed virtually all their own cypress and cedar, they are looking to countries like Canada which have a relative abundance of those woods. Canadian foresters are delighted to cut ancient cedars and firs so that they can sell the wood to Japan for a high price. The losers, though, are Canadian forests and future generations. While we want to fuel our economy with lucrative forestry, we must be careful not to consume all our own resources at home.