Yew vs. Cedar for Closet Lining - What is The Difference?

Last Updated May 21, 2025

Yew offers a smooth texture and natural resistance to pests, ideal for closet lining, while cedar provides superior aroma control and moisture regulation. Both materials enhance closet durability, but cedar is preferred for its strong anti-moth properties.

Table of Comparison

Property Yew Wood Cedar Wood
Aroma Mild, slightly sweet scent Strong, distinctive, aromatic
Durability High; dense and resistant to wear Moderate; naturally resistant to insects and decay
Color Light to medium reddish-brown Light reddish to pinkish brown
Weight Heavy and dense Light and soft
Resistance to Insects Good, but less than cedar Excellent; natural insect repellent
Cost Higher price due to rarity Affordable and widely available
Ideal Use in Closet Lining Strong, durable lining with subtle scent Preferred for natural fragrance and insect protection

Introduction to Closet Lining Woods

Yew and cedar are popular woods for closet lining due to their natural resistance to moisture and insects, ensuring long-lasting protection for clothing. Yew offers a fine grain with a rich color that enhances closet aesthetics while providing a pleasant aroma that repels moths. Cedar, especially aromatic red cedar, is widely valued for its strong scent, natural oils, and ability to absorb excess humidity, making it a top choice for maintaining fresh, odor-free storage spaces.

Yew Wood: Characteristics and Benefits

Yew wood offers exceptional durability and natural resistance to moisture, making it an ideal choice for closet lining. Its fine grain and smooth texture provide a luxurious finish that enhances the aesthetic appeal of interior spaces. Rich in natural oils, yew wood also possesses anti-microbial properties that help maintain a fresh and hygienic closet environment.

Cedar Wood: Characteristics and Benefits

Cedar wood is highly valued for closet lining due to its natural aromatic oils that repel moths and prevent mold and mildew growth, ensuring long-lasting garment protection. Its fine grain and smooth texture provide an aesthetically pleasing and durable surface that resists warping and cracking in varying humidity. Compared to yew, cedar offers superior insect resistance and moisture regulation, making it a preferred choice for maintaining fresh, odor-free closets.

Aromatic Properties: Yew vs Cedar

Cedar is renowned for its strong aromatic properties, releasing a distinct, sweet, and woodsy scent that naturally repels moths and insects, making it ideal for closet lining. Yew has a milder fragrance, offering subtle earthy and slightly spicy notes but lacks the potent moth-repellent aroma characteristic of cedar. Choosing cedar enhances closet freshness and protection, while yew provides a gentler scent with a refined aesthetic.

Durability and Longevity Comparison

Yew wood offers moderate durability with a natural resistance to decay, making it suitable for closet lining, but it is softer compared to cedar, which is renowned for its exceptional resistance to moisture, pests, and rot. Cedar wood's natural oils provide long-lasting protection, ensuring superior longevity and maintaining a fresh scent over time, which helps preserve stored clothes and prevent mold. The durability advantage of cedar makes it the preferred choice for closet lining where extended lifespan and resistance to environmental factors are critical.

Natural Pest Resistance

Yew wood exhibits strong natural pest resistance due to its high concentration of toxic alkaloids, which repel moths and insects effectively, making it ideal for closet lining. Cedar, particularly Western Red Cedar, is renowned for its aromatic oils that act as natural insect repellents, preventing damage from pests like moths and beetles. Both woods provide durable, pest-resistant solutions for closet interiors, with yew offering chemical-based defense and cedar combining scent and insect-repellent properties.

Cost and Availability

Yew wood is generally more expensive and less readily available compared to cedar, due to its slower growth and limited supply. Cedar is widely accessible and cost-effective, making it a popular choice for closet lining with natural insect-repellent properties. Choosing cedar can reduce overall project costs while providing durable and aromatic closet protection.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Yew wood for closet lining is highly valued for its natural resistance to decay and pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments and contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Cedar, particularly Western Red Cedar, is sustainably harvested and renews quickly, making it an eco-friendly choice that also emits natural aromatic oils that deter insects. Both woods offer renewable resources, but cedar's faster growth rate and widespread availability generally make it a more sustainable option for environmentally conscious consumers.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Yew offers a dense grain and natural resistance to pests, making it ideal for closet lining, requiring moderate sealing to prevent moisture damage during installation. Cedar provides a distinctive aroma and natural oils that repel insects, with straightforward installation through tongue-and-groove panels or planks that also aid ventilation. Regular maintenance for yew involves occasional re-oiling to maintain its finish, while cedar benefits from periodic airing to preserve its scent and prevent mold.

Final Verdict: Choosing the Best Wood for Your Closet

Yew offers a distinct aroma and rich reddish hue that repels insects, making it a durable and aromatic choice for closet lining. Cedar, renowned for its strong natural oils and superior moisture resistance, effectively protects clothes from mold and moths while providing a soft, warm amber tone. For optimal closet lining, cedar's proven longevity and pest-repellent properties make it the preferred wood over yew, especially in humid climates.

Yew vs. Cedar for Closet Lining - What is The Difference?

Infographic: Yew vs Cedar for Closet Lining



About the author. Kakani is a respected author and expert in materials for industrial and manufacturing applications. With years of experience in both research and industry.

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The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and is not guaranteed to be complete. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we cannot guarantee that the details mentioned are up-to-date or applicable to all scenarios. Topics about Yew vs Cedar for Closet Lining are subject to change from time to time.

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