Just got a cedar bird feeder: should I put some kind of protectant on it before I hang it outside?

@jca, I don’t think you should do anything to cedar. It is naturally resistant to the elements and weathers very nicely.

Cedar shakes are used for roofs for a reason! The wood is so oily that it resists weather for up to a hundred years. Go feed those birds without further ado.

Its going to last many years if you do nothing to it. Some of whatever you put on it might somehow get into the food but other than that some of that clear weather seal might do what you want. The smell of the stuff might take weeks or months to go away and the birds might be turned off by it.

I have a few cedar planters, they are naturally bug resistent as well as to the elements.

After so many years you do need to oil with cedar oil to ensure lasting protection.

I have a few cedar planters, they are naturally bug resistent as well as to the elements.

After so many years you do need to oil with cedar oil to ensure lasting protection. That may only be with planters because of holding retaining water might prematurely age them.

Not only is cedar already well-suited for hanging outside as others well note, whatever you treat it with might be toxic to birds. Don’t put any chemicals on the bird feeder that you aren’t sure are safe for birds.

Cedar silvers naturally. i would not put anything on it.