Handcrafted Cedar Signs & Benches

For over 30 years, Schmeeckle Reserve has been designing and constructing personalized cedar signs and benches for nature centers, parks, forests, wildlife areas, camps, businesses, communities, schools, homes, cabins, and trails. Western red cedar is a naturally lightweight and rot-resistant wood that lasts for decades. All signs and benches are handcrafted by talented UW-Stevens Point students who work at Schmeeckle. All proceeds directly support Schmeeckle Reserve.

Whether you're looking for a unique personalized gift or a rustic sign to advertise your site, Schmeeckle Reserve cedar signs are the perfect choice.

Discover more about cedar signs below:

How are they made?

All of our cedar signs are designed, constructed, hand-carved, hand-routed, and hand-painted by talented UW-Stevens Point student staff hired by Schmeeckle. We personalize your sign with words and pictures provided by you, or you can tell us what you're envisioning and we'll find the perfect picture to match. We then give you a free design layout and cost estimate.

If you choose to purchase a cedar sign, the fabrication process is started. We cut, plane, and join together 2-inch or 4-inch thick Western red cedar boards, depending on the size. Metal rods are drilled through large signs to ensure a tight fit. Your layout is then traced onto the wood.

Schmeeckle artists route the letters and borders and carve the pictures with beautiful detail and depth. The sign is painted with long-lasting and vibrant exterior latex paint. An exterior penetrating stain brings out the rich color and grain of the wood.

Cedar signs can be designed in nearly any shape, size, or carving. Just contact us, and we will be happy to discuss any options with you.

How long do they last? 

To ensure longevity and durability, the highest quality materials are used. Western red cedar is handpicked for top grade and natural beauty. Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and the elements, lasting for decades. To maintain a freshly constructed look, penetrating stain should be reapplied every 3-5 years. Many prefer the natural aging look of cedar, which turns gray and blends with the natural environment over time.

Every 5-10 years (depending on the location and orientation of the sign), the painting will need to be refreshed on a cedar sign to avoid a faded look. For a minimal cost, we can remove the old paint and stain on your sign, touch up any carving, repaint the words and pictures, reapply stain, and make it look brand new again.