Thuja plicata is a cone-bearing (coniferous) tree native to western North America and is commonly referred to as western red cedar. Another species commonly called yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) looks similar to T. plicata but is not closely related. Both species have significant cultural value to the aboriginal nations of the west coast (Pojar & MacKinnon 1994).
Description:
T. plicata can be one of the tallest tree species in our temperate forests, growing up to 60 m tall. Trees that grow in sites with poor drainage and high water tables, such as bogs, have tops that often develop a forked structure similar to a candelabra (Minore 1990). Mature red cedar have a central straight trunk that flares out at the base. The bark is a distinctive reddish brown that appears as flat strands and can be torn off in long strips. The branches droop with a slightly upward turn at the tip. The scale-like leaves are 2 to 4 mm in length and overlap like shingles on a roof (Klinkenberg 2017; Pojar & MacKinnon 1994; MFLNRO n.d.; US Forest Service n.d.). T. plicata can live over 1,000 years (US Forest Service n.d.).
Ecology:
Western red cedar is found in moist and wet soils from sea level to mid elevations along the west coast, but can also be found in the wet regions of the Kootenays west of the Rocky Mountains (MFLNRO n.d.). Red cedar typically grows in mixed forests, being tolerant of shade and can grow in the understory of other tree species (Minore 1990; MFLNRO n.d.).
Western red cedar has been extensively harvested and used by people on the west coast. Almost all types of material required for living (shelter, clothes, tools, transportation) have been obtained from western red cedar, which has sometimes been referred to as the “tree of life”. The wood from western red cedar continues to have great economic importance as roofing materials, lumber and furniture. The needles have also been harvested to produce essential oils for perfumes, insecticides, and medicines (Pojar & MacKinnon 1994).
Western red cedar has been extensively harvested and used by people on the west coast. Almost all types of material required for living (shelter, clothes, tools, transportation) have been obtained from western red cedar, which has sometimes been referred to as the “tree of life”. The wood from western red cedar continues to have great economic importance as roofing materials, lumber and furniture. The needles have also been harvested to produce essential oils for perfumes, insecticides, and medicines (Pojar & MacKinnon 1994).
Reproduction and Dispersal:
Western red cedar develops cones once the tree is 10 years of age. The male pollen cones are small and located in the upper branches of the tree, while the female seed cones are around 1 cm long and arranged in clusters on lower branches. The seed cones open in late fall and the small seeds are then carried short distances by the wind (Klinkenberg 2017; Minore 1990).
References cited:
Klinkenberg B, editor. 2017. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [accessed 2018 Jan 22]. http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Thuja%20plicata.
[MFLNRO] Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. n.d. Tree species compendium — Western red cedar (Cw) – Thuja plicata. [accessed 2017Jan 31]. https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/silviculture/Compendium/WesternRedcedar.htm.
Minore D. 1990. Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don. Western red cedar. In: Burns RM, Honkala BH, tech. coords. 1990. Silvics of North America vol. 1. Conifers. Agriculture Handbook 654. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC. [accessed 2018 Jan 22]. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654_vol1.pdf.
Pojar J, MacKinnon A. 1994. Plants of coastal British Columbia: including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. Vancouver: Lone Pine Publishing.
US Forest Service. n.d. Pacific Northwest old growth forest – Western red cedar (Thuja plicata). [accessed 2018 Jan 22]. https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/owl/oldgrowth/tree/western_redcedar.htm.
[MFLNRO] Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. n.d. Tree species compendium — Western red cedar (Cw) – Thuja plicata. [accessed 2017Jan 31]. https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/silviculture/Compendium/WesternRedcedar.htm.
Minore D. 1990. Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don. Western red cedar. In: Burns RM, Honkala BH, tech. coords. 1990. Silvics of North America vol. 1. Conifers. Agriculture Handbook 654. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC. [accessed 2018 Jan 22]. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654_vol1.pdf.
Pojar J, MacKinnon A. 1994. Plants of coastal British Columbia: including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. Vancouver: Lone Pine Publishing.
US Forest Service. n.d. Pacific Northwest old growth forest – Western red cedar (Thuja plicata). [accessed 2018 Jan 22]. https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/owl/oldgrowth/tree/western_redcedar.htm.