Close-up of the needles of Oregon's native Western Red Cedar tree (Thuja plicata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the trunk of Oregon's native Western Red Cedar tree (Thuja plicata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Oregon's native Western Red Cedar tree (Thuja plicata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata

  • Size at maturity: 100-200' tall, 30' wide
  • Canopy layer: large tree
  • Light requirements: full sun to full shade
  • Moisture requirements: moist soil
  • Growth rate: medium
  • Special features: evergreen, medicinal

Found mainly in the moist, lower elevations of the Pacific Northwest, Western Red Cedar can live to be 1000 years old. As the tree ages, its trunk becomes wide and fluted at the base, and tapers at the tip. The branchlets are made up of flat sprays of overlapping scales, with tiny 1/2” cones that look like small rosebuds. (Portland Plant List, 2016)

 

Photo Credit 1: "Western Redcedar" by nordique is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Photo Credit 2: "Thuja plicata" by itmpa is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo Credit 3: "Thuja Plicata" by Care_SMC is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

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