western redcedar
Thuja plicata

Western redcedar is the only arborvitae native to western North America, occuring from northern California to south coastal Alaska. Western redcedar is very adaptable to light and soils, and can compete well in all stages of ecological succession. The wood is very valuable and has many interesting uses.

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Light Water
Growth   Size
Timber Value

      Western redcedar is used for shingles, shakes, utility poles, fence posts, pilings, clothes closets and chests, caskets, crates, boxes, beehives, fish trap floats, chemical extracts and residues.
Wildlife Value
      The leaves are winter browsed by big game animals in the northern Rockies. Deer browse western redcedar all year, especially along the coast.
          Attracts: rodents, deer, elk, black bear, raccoons, skunks, sapsuckers, woodpeckers, tree swallows
Regeneration methods
      Western redcedar is very tolerant of shade and can be regenerated by a variety of methods. Clearcuts are most common, but shelterwoods, group selections and single tree selections are also viable. The seed-tree method is not recommended due to high risk of windthrow.
Fun facts
Western redcedar is the largest member of its genus. The heartwood is extremely durable and splits easily. Northwest Indians used all parts of this tree for everything from lodges and canoes to baskets and clothing. Today, cedar leaf oil is used in the manufacture of perfumes, insecticides, medicinal concoctions, veterinary soaps, shoe polish and deodorant. Extracts are also used for lead refining, water-boiler additives, and glue extenders.
Thuja Greek "thyia" (for a juniper or a fragrant-wooded tree) from "thyo" (perfume). plicata plaited (leaves, branches) - Latin "plicare" (to fold).
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2004 Virginia Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen, Guy Phillips, or Andrew S. Meeks.

questions, comments, and criticisms: email John.Peterson@vt.edu