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Woody > Thuja > Thuja plicata > Thuja plicata

Thuja plicata


Western Red Cedar




Origin:  Native to Western North America. Used extensively by the Natives of western North America for everything from crafts to totem poles to canoes. The wood is prized for its resistance to rot. It is the provincial tree of British Columbia.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

A class plant that seems to be rarely grown in our own region for what reason I am not sure other than to say few people know about it.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Cupressaceae
Genus
Thuja
Species
plicata
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (evergreen)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 7
Canadian Hardiness Zone
4a - 6b
RHS Hardiness Zone
H6 - H7
Temperature (°C)
-29 - (-12)
Temperature (°F)
-20 - 10
Height
15 - 22 m
Spread
5 - 8 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
May
General Description
A very large, narrow pyramidal tree in form that will normally keep its lower branches. It is an imposing evergreen tree with value both in its growth rate and form and in its harvest value for timber.
Landscape
Most often used for hedges in formal and semi-formal plantings, groupings, windbreaks and screens.
Cultivation
Prefers moist, well drained soils, likes high levels of humidity and full sun to partial shade.
Shape
A narrow pyramidal tree in form that will normally keep its lower branches.
Growth
Fast
ID Characteristic
Similar leaves to T. occidentalis, but the individual divisions are not as wide and the foliage is darker green.
Pests
Bagworm and heart rot.
Bark/Stem Description
Red on young stems, grey to reddish brown on old trunks, very fibrous and easily peeled.
Leaf Description
Leaves are scale-like, with 4 ranks arranged oppositely, each leaf is 1-6 mm long. Similar leaves to T. occidentalis, but the individual divisions are not as wide and the foliage is darker green.
Flower Description
Small, difficult to see, with the female having a pinkish colour and the male a yellowish colour.
Fruit Description
Small erect cones about 1 cm long, green colour in the summer, turning brown in the autumn.
Colour Description
Lustrous dark green.
Texture Description
Medium.
Notable Specimens
The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England.
Propagation
Stratification in moist medium at 0 - 5°C for 30 - 60 days. Can also be rooted from winter cuttings.
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