Plant · GBIF taxon 2684178
Eastern White Cedar
Thuja occidentalisAlso known as Northern White-Cedar, Arborvitae, Eastern Arborvitae, Swamp Cedar
Eastern white cedars are slow-growing, long-lived conifers characterized by scale-like, fan-shaped foliage that emits a pleasant, sweet aroma when crushed. They thrive in wet, swampy soils as well as limestone cliffs, where stunted individuals can survive for over a thousand years. During winter, their dense evergreen boughs provide critical shelter and browse for white-tailed deer.
EvergreenConiferAromatic
1 / 7—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight, water, and soil nutrients
Predators
- White-tailed deer
- Snowshoe hare
- Porcupine
ThreatsOverbrowsing by deer, habitat fragmentation, and climate change
HabitatsSwamps, bogs, limestone cliffs, lake shores, and moist forests
Life span200 to 800 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCupressaceae
- SpeciesThuja occidentalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Foliage contains thujone, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested.
Responsible observation
- Foliage Identification: Look for flat, fan-like sprays of scale-like leaves that release a sweet, apple-like scent when bruised.
- Age Appreciation: Seek out stunted, twisted specimens on rocky cliffs, which are often centuries older than they appear.
- Winter Wildlife Watching: Scan cedar stands during heavy snows to spot deer seeking thermal cover and food.
Look-alike (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Herbivore USDA photo by Scott Bauer / Public domain · cc0
Frequent Companion (c) Joshlaymon, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · cc-by-sa
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