Western red cedar facts

Also, it has a large number of cones that bend backwards, along the branches. More than per cent of timberland in British Columbia, Canada – where most western red cedar comes from – is certified by internationally recognize independent forest certification agencies. Red cedar , also called western red cedar , is the species Thuja plicata. It should not be confused with the eastern red cedar , Juniperus virginiana, or the Lebanon cedar , Cedrus libani, which are unrelated species. Historically, western red cedar was a very important plant for the indigenous or First Nations people who lived in the coastal area.

In this article, I describe forty facts about the plant and the importance of the “tree of life” in the local culture. Both varieties come from the cypress family, falling into the evergreen conifer division, and thus, are not true cedars. With their fragrant, delicate-looking branches, the trees make a great additions to landscapes as long as growth requirements are noted.

It produces long lengths of timber with true, straight grain. The western red cedar is also known as the giant arborvitae, western arborvitae, giant red cedar , Pacific red cedar , and canoe cedar. This tree has the distinction of being the official tree of the British Columbia. It is also known as shinglewood. It grows between and feet tall with a 25-foot spread in cultivation, but wild trees can reach heights of 200.

It possesses a strong aroma that helps to enhance meditation. The term plicata was derived from a Latin word ‘plico’ that means fold together or folded. The red cedar tree is a pine tree, or conifer. Eastern and western red cedar trees play vital roles within their ecosystems, providing shelter and food for many types of wildlife. What Are Some Interesting Facts About Cedar Trees?

The Eastern red cedar produces yellow or green blooms in winter, and the tree produces. Cedar trees are evergreen and are part of the pine tree family. Eastern Red Cedar Facts Eastern red cedars ( Juniperus vinginiana ) are also known as juniper , savin evergreen, cedar apple and Virginia red cedar. The trees are shaped like a pyramid or column with grayish to reddish-brown bark. North America’s great renewable resources.

While all types of cedar wood share similar benefits, the appearance, texture and other aesthetic attributes vary by type. The word “ cedar ” actually refers to the wood from at least a dozen or more different trees from around the world. When cedar is used to describe native trees of the U. Sustainable cedar roofs are environmentally friendly. Department of Agriculture.

A versatile timber, it is commonly used for applications such as cladding, windows and joinery. Chewing the leaf buds can relieve toothache. The oil from the inner bark can be used to treat fungal infection.

The wood’s tight and even grain lends itself to easily available clear grades. What’s more, many people prefer the color of Incense Cedar. Wildlife: The leaves of western red cedar are a major winter food for big game in the northern Rocky Mountains, and deer browse it all year along the coast. Many cultivars are grown for ornament, including those used for hedges. Cedar Facts Cedar is an evergreen tree that belongs to the family of pines (term cedar tree is sometimes used to describe more than species of plants that belong to three different families: Pinaceae, Cupressaceae and Meliaceae).

In cultivation, it can be effectively used as a hedge or screen. Foliage is glossy, green and scale-like and is aromatic. However, wood will shrink and swell with any changes in moisture content and weather.

For many purposes cedar bark is dyed with alder juice to give it a rich red -brown color. The limbs of the cedar tree are stripped of. Western or giant redcedar,. It has excellent working qualities and machines to a smooth, satiny finish.

Completely non-resinous, it has good gluing properties, low to moderate nail and screw holding ability, and takes paints and stains well. Caution- Eastern Red Cedar is actually quite toxic if ingested. Be sure to know the difference between the two trees if you’re planning to use for medicinal purposes.

We have a team of highly experienced people who can assist you with your enquiry or order. Cedar is a lightweight and dimensionally stable wood that lies flat and stays straight. Learn more about how to care for your cedar playset. Pacific Cedar : Cunninghamia Lanceolata Named after Dr. James Cunningham, a British employee of the East India Company and who had interest in botany, and Botanist Allen Cunningham.

Check out our cedar siding projects on Houzz for inspiration on how to use western red cedar in your home. Its bark is different, its needles are soft and its smell is unique. Old growth cedar is an essential part of BC’s coastal rainforest and is closely connected to healthy salmon streams.

To test clay brick, fibre cement, vinyl siding and wood-plastic composite decking, Forintek examined publicly available secondary data. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. These trees grow in many different mixed forests and are found with most all of the commercial species in British Columbia.