Western red-cedar

Thuja plicata

Photo: Nancy Turner

APPEARANCE

Also known as western redcedar, western red cedar, and red cedar, this is not a true cedar (this is why a hyphen is used). The western red-cedar grows up to 60 metres tall and has drooping branches and a large trunk that spreads out at the base. Its needles are scale-like with a strong smell; the bark is stringy and can be torn off in long strips.

RANGE & HABITAT

Western red-cedar grows in Oregon, Washington and B.C. along the coast and in interior wet areas. In B.C., the yellow cedar grows in the Coast and Mountains, Georgia Lowlands and Southern Interior Mountains ecoprovinces.

LIFE CYCLE

The tree has extremely rot- and insect- resistant wood; it can last hundreds of years. The oldest red cedars have been over 1,000 years old! New cedars sprout in damp, rich soil or old wood, and the old trees turn into “nurse trees” when they die and fall over.

ANIMAL USES

Bears and other animals use old hollow red cedar trees for winter dens.

TRADITIONAL USES BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The western red-cedar has long been a very respected tree. It is known as the “Tree of Life” for providing so many uses. Wood is used to build canoes, paddles, houses, boxes, totem poles, and tools. The bark of the tree is used in making mats, clothing, baskets, nets, fishing lines, and medicines. Western red-cedar bentwood boxes serve as traditional cooking pots, with hot rocks being placed inside the water-tight box to cook food. In fact, cedar is anti-fungal, making it ideal for cooking. Bentwood boxes can also be used as burial boxes for Chiefs and people of high esteem.

Visit this online interactive learning tool, Seeing Through Watchers’ Eyes, to learn the SENĆOŦEN name and other stories about this being! We recommend a desktop computer or laptop for ideal viewing.

Simply open the link here: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/watcherseyes/
Scroll down to the Prezi
Click “present”
And move your cursor to point 101 along the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen

OTHER USES

Western red-cedar wood is used for house siding, walls & roofing, fencing, furniture and musical instruments. These trees are also used as hedges for gardens.