Thuja plicata

Western Red Cedar

Fast growing evergreen conifer tree of variable size. Typically growing to 25m in cultivation, it is much taller in cultivation, except above 500m altitude, where it grows as a shrub. Conical habit when young, becoming columnar with maturity. Bark is red-brown and lightly fissured. The branches grow horizontally with slightly pendant tips. Leaves are scale-like, copper-green and grouped in fours, with two flatter leaves overlapped by two longer lateral leaves. Foliage is aromatic when crushed. Cones are ovoid and green, becoming brown with maturity and only 1cm long. There are a number of cultivars featuring dwarf forms and colourful foliage.

Uses

Ornamental tree suitable for larger gardens and parks and well-suited to windbreaks and hedges. The attractive timber is a valuble resource in North America.

Culture

Suitable for full sun or heavy shade, it is adaptable to most moist, well-drained soils. Preferring a cool climate, it is frost tolerant, but may develop brown markings on the foliage in response to rapid temperature change. Can be pruned as a screen or hedge, where it is preferable to tip prune regularly. Avoid cutting into old wood. Propagate by cuttings or seed.

Propagation

No information available at this time...

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