Western redcedar (WRC) is renowned for its high durability, which is due at least in part to the presence of extractives that are toxic to decay fungi. Western redcedar's naturally low equilibrium moisture content (EMC) may also be a protective factor, since fungi typically require 30% moisture content to grow. Extractives are thought to contribute to the low EMC by blocking water adsorption sites on the wood. The present work compared the EMC of extracted and un-extracted WRC heartwood and sapwood. Extracted WRC heartwood had higher EMC than un-extracted WRC heartwood in samples not affected by fungi, and WRC sapwood had higher EMC than adjacent heartwood. The presence of extractives was identified as being associated with the low EMC of WRC heartwood in these samples.