Species PlantsWestern Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Western Red Cedar is one of the most culturally significant plants in the world for Pacific Northwest indigenous peoples, who used every part of the tree for housing, canoes, clothing, baskets, and ceremonial objects. It is a giant of the Pacific Coast rainforest, reaching 200+ feet, with a strongly buttressed base and drooping, scale-like foliage.

Habitat
Pacific Coast and interior Northwest moist forests from California to Alaska
Diet
Dense foliage provides year-round shelter; bark fibers and cavities used by many species
How common
Common

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