In our estimation, there is nothing better for making decoys than White Cedar-we've been using it for years. Though it carves and sands well and is naturally rot-resistant, the one problem we've always had is supply.

Even here in the State of Maine, cedar trees large enough to yield 8x8 and 4x8 blocks are scarcer than hen's teeth. And truth be told, even when we have been able to get blocks that size, they are rarely what's wanted. Cedar is notorious for hiding defects. Logs that have ripple-free bark that you'd think would be clear all the way through, can open up to reveal an astonishing number of knots and soft spots. Our sawyer has 40+ years of experience with cedar and he still gets fooled. Add to that the fact that it can take 4 years or more to fully air dry blocks of that dimension, and it becomes clear that that is not the best way to go.

So what's the solution? Since high quality cedar boards are available, the answer is simple enough-laminate those boards into the size pieces needed. The boards we receive from the mill are 1” thick, 4-5' long and 3”, 4” and 6” wide. They mill out to between 3/4” and 7/8” thick. We don't bother to edge them, so simply leave them as sawn on the bandmill.

Currently we are laminating those pieces into blocks measuring 3x6, 4x7, and 4x8, and in lengths from 12” to 56”. The glue used is Titebond III, so they are not going to come apart in the water.

Teal size...........................3 x 6.........................$8/ running foot
Bufflehead size.....................4 x 6...................$10/running foot
Woodies, Mallard, Black Duck size........4 x 8......$12/running foot

We occasionally have even larger stuff, but not often because the widest of the laminating cedar we receive is 6" wide

If you have a particular need, give us a call, or drop us an email with your requirements. Contact info is at the bottom of this page.