Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Cupressaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Conifer, Evergreen, Privacy Screen
Variety / Cultivar
None specified; likely the straight species or a large cultivar like 'Excelsa' or 'Green Giant' (hybrid)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5 through 8; prefers humid, temperate climates with cool summers and rainy winters.
About This Tree
A large, long-lived evergreen with a narrow, conical to pyramidal crown. It features drooping branches that turn upward at the ends (J-shape) and dense, aromatic foliage. It is known for its graceful, fern-like appearance and immense size at maturity.
Leaf Characteristics
Scale-like leaves arranged in flat, lacy sprays; dark green on top with distinctive white 'butterfly' markings on the underside; arrangement is opposite in four ranks; fragrant when crushed (smells similar to pineapple or cedar chest).
Bark Characteristics
Fibrous, stringy, and cinnamon-red to grayish-brown; develops long, vertical interlacing ridges that peel in thin strips on older trees.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Pacific Northwest of North America; well-adapted to cool, moist maritime climates
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen foliage; reproductive cones develop in spring and mature in late summer/autumn; active growth occurs from spring through summer
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade; prefers high moisture levels and consistent watering; possesses low drought tolerance compared to other conifers; thrives in boggy or well-drained moist soils.
Mature Size
Height: 100-200 feet in the wild, 50-70 feet in landscapes; Spread: 15-25 feet; Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast; Lifespan: 400 to over 1,000 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly rot-resistant timber; excellent for fencing and shingles; significant cultural importance to Indigenous Coastal Peoples; provides a dense evergreen screen for windbreaks.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical nesting sites and thermal cover for birds and small mammals; seeds are eaten by squirrels and songbirds; browse for deer and elk (though often protected due to high tannin content in mature foliage).