Western Red Cedar: BC’s Legendary Rainforest Tree

Western Red Cedar: BC’s Legendary Rainforest Tree

 In Nature in Victoria

Towering over BC’s coastal rainforests, the Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is one of the province’s most valuable and culturally significant trees. Known for its rot-resistant wood, fragrant needles, and deep history, this tree has been called the “Tree of Life” by Indigenous peoples for centuries.

How to Recognize Western Red Cedar

  • Needles: Soft, flat, arranged in fan-shaped sprays.
  • Bark: Reddish-brown, fibrous, peeling in strips.
  • Size: Grows over 70 meters (230 feet) tall, with massive, buttressed trunks.

Where Western Red Cedar Grows

  • Coastal rainforests, in BC’s wettest regions.
  • Interior temperate rainforests, where it grows alongside Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock.

Why Western Red Cedar is Essential

  • Supports biodiversity, providing habitat for birds, bears, and salmon.
  • Stabilizes soils, preventing erosion along rivers and slopes.
  • Is a key lumber species, used for construction and woodworking.

Western Red Cedar in Industry and Culture

  • One of BC’s most valuable timber species, used for shingles, siding, and furniture.
  • Deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions, used for canoes, clothing, and carvings.
  • Popular in landscaping, as its wood is naturally decay-resistant.

Wildlife and Western Red Cedar

  • Black bears, deer, and elk shelter in its forests.
  • Eagles and owls nest in its high branches.
  • Its roots keep river waters cool, benefiting salmon populations.

Fun Facts About Western Red Cedar

  • Some of BC’s oldest trees, with individuals over 1,000 years old.
  • Its wood naturally repels insects, making it ideal for outdoor construction.
  • It has one of the longest lifespans of any North American tree.