Western Red Cedar: importance, symbolism & Use

Red Cedar

Cedars belong to the Cupressaceae family. American or Asian in origin, depending on the species, they are classified as conifers and are easily recognized by their evergreen foliage, that presents in an interwoven scaly pattern.

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Why does EcoTree plant Western Red Cedars?

Western Red Cedar easily grow in different types of soil. The tree thrives in the sunlight or partial shade. Western Red Cedar grows fast and it doesn't take more than a couple of years before it makes out the perfect windbreak to protect more wind-sensitive species. This is why we at EcoTree are fans of planting the species in our forests.

Red Cedar - Overview

The conifer naturally grows on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains in the western United States and was introduced to Europe in 1853 by a renowned botanist, William Lobb. Western Red Cedars (Thuja plicata) has a tapered and cylindrical trunk. The bark turns grey and cracked with age. The foliage is green throughout winter and consists of flattened twigs covered with leaves in the shape of dragon scales. The leaves are arranged in mirroring pairs, set at 90º from one another. This conifer has dense branches and gives off a strong, aromatic odour when crushed. Other varieties of Cedars are golden in winter. Western Red Cedar twigs are green at the top and green with white spots lower down. Cedars are a monoecious species, meaning they sprout unisexual flowers that ends in catkins. Their cones are 15 to 20 mm long and 4 to 5 mm wide, and appear slender and shaped as interlocking scales. Western Red Cedars are very resistant to diseases and fungi attacks.

Red Cedar - Species requirements

Western Red Cedars are not picky about soil composition but tend to thrive in gravel soils or soils containing humus . Such soils should have a low acidic, even alkaline, pH level. Cedars are susceptible to soil densification, yet resistant to impurities in the air, meaning they can adapt to atmospheric pollution. They do not thrive in areas with dry air and soil, and can get damaged by road salt. Western Red Cedar likes the sun or partial shade. However, they suffer in periods of drought and intense heat, hence why they are found in more humid regions.

The Western Red Cedar's wood

The Western Red Cedar's wood has a unique smell. It's a softwood that's light and ranges from yellow hues in its sapwood to pinkish brown in its heartwood. The wood is very resistant to rot and its wood is used to produce boats, exterior claddings and window frames.

Symbolism of the Western Red Cedar

The tree, sacred in many cultures, is called the "tree of life" because of its longevity and its evergreen appearance. In North America, it can live up to a thousand years! The cedar is a symbol of eternity and therefore an ideal sustainable and ecological birthday present!

Owning or gifting a Western Red Cedar, you help fight climate change by storing CO₂, which purifies the air, and protects the life of millions of animal species!

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Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate change?