[panaxanax]

>”...it (Cedar, Western Red) is only good for about 100 years and deterioration begins.”<

You are correct, there is no way this is 500 years old.

[muawiyah]

You are much further North. Things are different. In any case, Red Cedar ain’t the onliest one. Try this: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_1/chamaecyparis/nootkatensis.htm

[Sacajaweau]

http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Canoe-carver-is-on-a-journey-of-peace-1094662.php#page-1