Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Scientific Name: Thuja plicata — Western red cedar.
Native Home: Pacific Northwest of North America, from southern Alaska and British Columbia to northern California and the Rocky Mountains.
Height: 40–70 m (131–230 ft).
Lifespan: 800–1,500 years; some trees live much longer.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Durable, lightweight, naturally rot-resistant wood.
Harvesting: Harvested commercially for lumber, with sustainable forestry practices.
Age to Harvest: Approximately 40–80 years for timber.
Products: Outdoor furniture, shingles, fencing, decking, boats, and ornamental plants.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest used its wood and bark for canoes, houses, baskets, clothing, and ceremonial objects.
Global Spread: Widely used in Canadian and US timber industries and planted as an ornamental tree in temperate regions worldwide.
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