Fauna
Plant

Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata

Also known as Western Redcedar, Pacific Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae, Shinglewood

Western red cedars dominate the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, forming towering trunks topped with drooping sprays of glossy foliage. Indigenous peoples revered this long lived giant as the Tree of Life, crafting canoes, totem poles, and woven textiles from its durable wood and fibrous bark. Their deep root systems stabilize moist riverbanks while dense canopies provide critical shelter for forest wildlife.

EvergreenConiferForest Giant
Western Red Cedar reference1 / 7
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic
Predators
  • Black-tailed Deer
  • Roosevelt Elk
  • Cedar Tree Borer
ThreatsLogging of old growth stands, severe drought, forest fires
HabitatsTemperate rainforests, river valleys, mountain streamsides
Life span500–1,500+ years
Classification
  1. OrderPinales
  2. FamilyCupressaceae
  3. GenusThuja
  4. SpeciesThuja plicata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Foliage Identification: Look for scale-like leaves arranged in flattened sprays with glossy green tops and faint white markings underneath.
  • Bark Observation: Look for fibrous, stringy bark that pulls away in long vertical strips along the trunk.
  • Aroma Tip: Gently press the scale-like foliage to release a sweet, resinous, pineapple-like scent.
Related species
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