# 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. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Giant Arborvitae, Pacific Red Cedar, Red Cedar ![Western Red Cedar](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Thuja_plicata_Vancouver.jpg&width=800) Photo: abdallahh from Montréal, Canada, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thuja_plicata_Vancouver.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Cupressaceae - **Genus:** Thuja ## 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 - **Rot Shield:** Western Red Cedar has naturally rot-resistant wood that helps it stand strong for centuries even in damp environments. - **Pest Repellent:** Western Red Cedar can produce aromatic oils in its leaves and wood that help it defend against insects and fungi. - **Flexible Branches:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Coniferous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coniferous): Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Temperate Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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? No ### 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? Small woody cones ## Where to spot - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Englishman River Falls Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/englishman-river-falls-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Illahee State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illahee-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park [View all places to see Western Red Cedar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-red-cedar) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Western Red Cedar: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-red-cedar)