Thuja plicata Western red cedar (Cupressaceae) Evergreen tree

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Thuja plicata
Western red cedar
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Thuja plicata plant species is found in Western N. America - British Columbia to California. It is a member of the Cupressaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Western red cedar. Some home gardeners know the variety as T. gigantea. T. lobbii. T. menziesii.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Thuja plicata
Common Name:  Western red cedar
Family:  Cupressaceae
Author:  D.Don.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  60   Mature Width:  12

Habitat:  Grows singly and in small groves in moist to swampy soils, usually in shady forests, from sea-level to 1350 metres[60, 82, 99].

Edible Uses: Inner bark - fresh or dried[2, 105, 161]. The inner bark can be dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread. A pitch obtained from the trunk has been used as a chewing gum[257].

For further Thuja plicata gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future