Deep within British Columbia’s coastal and interior rainforests, the Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) stands as one of the most iconic and longest-living trees in the province. With some individuals surviving for over 1,500 years, this towering conifer has shaped BC’s ecosystems, industries, and Indigenous cultures for millennia.
How to Identify Western Red Cedar
- Needles: Soft, scale-like, arranged in flat sprays, and give off a distinct, earthy fragrance.
- Bark: Fibrous, reddish-brown, peeling in long strips.
- Size: Can grow over 70 meters (230 feet) tall, with a massive, buttressed base.
Where Western Red Cedar Grows
- Coastal rainforests, thriving in BC’s wettest environments.
- Temperate interior valleys, where it flourishes in moist, shaded forests.
Why Western Red Cedar is Essential
- Prevents erosion, stabilizing riverbanks and slopes.
- Provides shelter and food for wildlife, including owls, bears, and deer.
- Supports BC’s forestry industry, producing valuable, durable lumber.
Western Red Cedar in Industry and Indigenous Culture
- Used for construction, particularly for shingles, siding, and decking.
- Essential in Indigenous traditions, used for canoes, totem poles, and longhouses.
- Highly valued in landscaping, due to its decay-resistant wood.
Wildlife and Western Red Cedar Forests
- Bears and deer shelter beneath its large canopy.
- Owls and woodpeckers nest in its hollow trunks.
- Its roots help regulate river temperatures, benefiting salmon populations.
Fun Facts About Western Red Cedar
- Some Western Red Cedars in BC are over 1,500 years old.
- Its wood is naturally resistant to decay and insects, making it highly prized.
- It has been called the “Tree of Life” by Indigenous peoples.