Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata

The Western Red Cedar is a tall tree with soft, reddish-brown bark. It has flat sprays of scale-like leaves that smell fresh and woody. These trees are important to many animals in the forest.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Western Red Cedar is a towering evergreen with a broad, conical crown and distinctive reddish-brown, fibrous bark that peels in long strips. Its flat, scale-like leaves grow in drooping sprays, producing a strong, sweet aroma when crushed.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyCupressaceaeGenusThuja

Photo: abdallahh from Montréal, CanadaCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Western Red Cedar

Interesting facts

Indigenous people harvested its soft bark to weave waterproof clothing and sturdy baskets.

Its scientific name, 'plicata', means 'folded', describing how its tiny leaves are arranged.

Western Red Cedars are the largest species in the cypress family, often growing super tall!

You can often spot tiny, shiny green cones, each only the size of a small fingernail!

Special abilities

Western Red Cedar has naturally rot-resistant wood that helps it stand strong for centuries even in damp environments.

Western Red Cedar can produce aromatic oils in its leaves and wood that help it defend against insects and fungi.

Western Red Cedar has supple branches that can bend under heavy snow, helping it avoid breakage during winter storms.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-70 m
Spread: 5-15 m
Edible: No
Size: 100-250 cm
Lifespan: 500-1000 years
Fruit Type: Small woody cones
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Evergreen

Ecological connections

Eats

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Browses on young foliage and twigs.

Eats

Douglas Squirrel

Tamiasciurus douglasii

Eats seeds from its small cones.

Shelter

Spotted Owl

Strix occidentalis

Nests in cavities of old-growth trees.

Symbiotic with

Mycorrhizal Fungus

Rhizopogon vinicolor

Shares nutrients with its roots.

Traits

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Coniferous

Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.

Evergreen

Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Temperate Rainforest

This habitat trait identifies species found in temperate rainforests, characterized by significant rainfall, mild temperatures, and dense evergreen or deciduous forests in coastal regions.

Keystone Species

Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Also known as

Giant ArborvitaePacific Red CedarRed Cedar

Collections

Trees

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy looking at the majestic Western Red Cedars from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Western Red Cedar?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Western Red Cedar?

50-70 m

How wide does Western Red Cedar spread?

5-15 m

Is Western Red Cedar edible?

How big is Western Red Cedar?

100-250 cm

How long does Western Red Cedar live?

500-1000 years

Where is Western Red Cedar usually found?

Forests

What kind of fruit does Western Red Cedar produce?