When homeowners are deciding on a new cedar fence, pergola, gate, or other outdoor structure, they’re usually thinking about creating more privacy, choosing durable materials, and enhancing the beauty of their outdoor space. What they may not think about is where that cedar comes from—and why it matters.At AVO Fence & Supply, we believe the quality of every project begins long before the first fence board is installed. It starts in the forests of Maine, where Eastern white cedar has been used for generations because of its natural beauty, strength, and resistance to rot and insects.
Our commitment to quality doesn’t stop with the species of wood we use. It extends to how that wood is sourced, milled, and delivered to our customers throughout the Northeast.
Several years ago, AVO took a major step towards strengthening both the quality and supply of Easter white cedar by acquiring Howland Cedar Products, a cedar mill located in Howland, Maine.
The decision was driven by a simple goal: To create a more dependable source of premium Eastern white cedar, while giving AVO greater control over the quality and consistency of the lumber used in our products.
Previously, much of our cedar came from Canada. While the quality was excellent, sourcing lumber across the border introduced challenges, ranging from supply chain disruptions to changing tariffs and longer lead times.
Owning the mill allows us to work more closely with the production process, ensuring lumber is cut to our specifications and available when our customers need it.
As AVO owner Mike Palmer shared in a recent article by the Forest Society of Maine:
“Buying Howland Cedar Products helped us improve the supply chain, including managing tariff costs and cutting the lumber how we need it.”
For homeowners, this translates into consistent quality and a dependable supply of one of the Northeast’s most sought-after building materials.
Quality cedar begins with healthy forests.
Howland Cedar Products sources logs from logging companies throughout Maine, many located just a short distance from the mill. By working with local suppliers, the company supports Maine’s long tradition of responsible forestry while helping strengthen local communities and businesses.
Mike Palmer is also a supporter of the Forest Society of Maine, an organization dedicated to conserving Maine’s working forests while ensuring they remain productive for future generations.
As he explained:
“I support sustainability and managing resources. I have found a lot of people in our business support sustainable forestry. They all feel the same way.”
For AVO, responsible sourcing isn’t simply good business—it’s part of preserving the natural resource that makes Eastern white cedar such a remarkable building material.
Eastern white cedar has long been trusted throughout New England for centuries. Its natural oils make it resistant to decay, insects, and moisture without requiring chemical treatments. It remains dimensionally stable through changing seasons and develops a beautiful, weathered appearance over time, while maintaining its structural integrity.
These qualities make it an outstanding choice for:
Privacy fences
Decorative fencing
Pergolas
Garden structures
Gates
Outdoor living projects
Because it is both durable and naturally renewable, Eastern white cedar continues to be one of the most environmentally responsible choices for outdoor construction.
One of the things that makes this story unique is how close to home the entire process remains.
Logs harvested from Maine forests are milled in Howland before being delivered throughout the Northeast to homeowners, contractors, landscapers, and builders. Much of the cedar harvested in Maine stays in the Northeast, where it is used to build quality homes, outdoor structures, and landscapes.
By maintaining this regional supply chain, AVO can better oversee quality while supporting local forestry and manufacturing.
Most homeowners will never visit a cedar mill or watch rough logs become finished fence boards. But when it comes to time to embark upon a home improvement project, the advantages of Eastern white cedar become obvious, including:
Straighter boards
Consistent quality
Beautiful grain
Long-lasting material that holds up to challenging New England weather
Those details don’t happen by accident. They begin with carefully sourced Eastern white cedar and the people who take pride in producing it.
At AVO Fence & Supply, we’re proud to know exactly where our cedar comes from—and we’re proud to bring that quality to every fence, pergola, and outdoor project we help create.
Want to learn more about Howland Cedar Products and our commitment to sustainable forestry? Read the featured article from the Forest Society of Maine to learn more about the people, forests, and partnerships behind the cedar that makes its way into AVO projects. And reach out to us for your next fence project. Contact us to begin the conversation.