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North West Red Inland Cedar is the world’s finest cedar. We at Montana Cedar Works are quite confident that we set the standard for Quality Premium Grade Cedar Planters, using a select tight-knot grade that is stronger and with a great array of color. We have Mother Nature to thank for this because of the extreme cold and longer winters she brings to the region. We live, work and play where it is found—on the western slope
of the Montana Rockies.
Commercially Finished or Finely Finished
Our commercially finished planters are kiln-dried premium select tight knot cedar, just like the finely finished planters. They are planed on one or two sides and trimmed to precise widths on high volume production planers. This commercially planed cedar goes on the finest wood homes in the country. Don't be mistaken - its nice cedar.
For our finely finished planters, we take the commercially planed Cedar boards and cut them to desired widths with high quality table saws using fine blades, and planed on finish planers for the ultimate finish. We produce a finish meant for fine wood working.
The Finest Cedar Planters Made - Period.
Board Thickness is Everything
Because of our thick cuts of premium cedar, sanding is the best way to restore your planter to a condition of NEW.
With our planters you can sand many, many times over the course of 20 years and make your planters new again.
Video to come on how to sand quickly and effectively to obtain that NEW look.
Wood Treatment & Maintenance of our Planters
Our Cedar Planters are expected to last a couple of decades with minimal maintenance, due to the premium grade and thickness of the boards. To help our planters achieve an extremely long life, we recommend certain wood treatments. If you enjoy the Patina look of Naturally aged Cedar, just treat the interior of your planter. Then Plant water and enjoy!
Use all natural treatments. Because you love your plants and you may grow food in Montana Cedar Works planters, we highly recommend natural treatments. Your plants don't want petroleum distillates leaching into their source of nourishment any more than you do, especially when eating your fine produce coming from your efforts.
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Examples showing the difference in untreated (left) and treated (Right).
To treat the INTERIOR of your planter, we highly recommend the following:
Always treat the interior wood with something edible and we recommend olive oil, jojoba oil or hemp oil. These oils will protect the wood from moisture penetration and the planters should be treated every couple of years. Empty your planter of dirt; wash away dirt and particles and let dry; retreat with the oil/bees wax mixture. In your first and continued treatments, apply at least 2 coats.
Add Beeswax for the ultimate interior finish. First apply 2 coats of your favorite natural oil. Let it soak in between coats. Next, take 2 oz. of bees wax, add it to you natural oil and warm together slowly. Treat your wood as the mixture cools. Once complete: plant - water - enjoy!
To treat the Exterior of your planter, we highly recommend the following:
For exterior treatment of your planters, we recommend Hemp Oil. It’s becoming quite popular in treating log cabins here in Montana instead of log oil, which is made from petroleum distillates. It is all natural, does not have the un-pleasant odor of petroleum distillates, and does not harm plants or insects. It comes from a plant. You can eat it. And it’s really good for the wood with a nice tone and brings out the beautiful colors of cedar. Need we say more!
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If you choose to treat the exterior of your planter with a chemically constructed wood treatment, we recommend a wood sealer that has UV inhibitors to delay the aging process from the sun. We use a clear sealant so as not to diminish the array of colors that you get with Cedar. As you add stain or buy a stained sealer, you'll get more UV protection with darker stains. Be aware though, the array of the natural cedar colors will be diminished. It's all good as different taste's make the world go round! Also note that simple sanding is fast and easy and allows you to restore the look of new and gives you the option of a different look. Look to the future for a sanding video or call us as we are sanding experts and can make it easy and fast. We look forward to your call.
Questions A Buyer Should Ask
1. Is the Cedar wood a Premium Grade of select tight knot Northwest Red Inland Cedar?
2. Is it kiln dried?
3. Is it thick and longer lasting than all others?
4. Is it finely made?
5. Is it made with Stainless Steel or Ceramic Screws? Because these screws are the best! Cedar and Redwood are acidic and cheap screws and nails are eaten alive.
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Get your money's worth.
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Buyer Be Aware
Mills and producers of wood products commonly overstate the thickness and widths of boards. If they call it 3/4" thick it is often 9/16" or 5/8" thick.
At Montana Cedar works when we say its 3/4" thick, its 3/4" thick exactly. 1" is truly 1"
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In the Cedar Planter world - "thickness is everything".
Check Out Our Product List
Examples of sizes and styles we have available with some photo examples.