Thuja plicata, Western Red Cedar, Pacific Northwest Native Plants, Oregon Native Plant, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Oregon
Thuja plicata, Western Red Cedar, Pacific Northwest Native Plants, Oregon Native Plant, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, 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: "File:Starr 041221-1933 Thuja plicata.jpg" by BotMultichillT is licensed under CC BY 3.0

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