One hypothesis is that the yellow cedar decline may be caused by insect parasites, specifically the cedar bark beetle.
Where glulam beams will be exposed to weather, request a preservative-treated product or consider wood that has a natural resistance to decay, such as Alaska yellow cedar or Port Orford cedar.
Unfortunately, we still do not know what is killing the yellow cedar. None of the explanations discussed in the reading is adequate.
These changes have affected the root systems of the yellow cedar trees: the fine surface roots now start growing in the late winter rather than in the early spring.
