Why We Use Cedar in Every DoCred Bed

When we sat down to spec the first DoCred bed, the materials question was open. Pine is cheap. Composite is durable. Cedar costs more than both. We tested all three in side-by-side trials for two full seasons before committing.

What we found

Pine started to soften at the soil line by the end of year one. Composite held its shape but warmed quickly in direct sun, stressing root systems near the wall. Cedar — specifically western red cedar — held up dimensionally, kept root-zone temperatures stable, and aged into the muted silver we wanted aesthetically.

Why it lasts

Cedar's natural oils resist rot and fungal attack without sealants or treatments. That matters when the wood is in contact with damp soil for years. It also means nothing leaches into the soil where you're growing food.

We pay more for it, and you do too. Three years in, we still think it's the right call.