Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

 

Family - Cupressaceae

 

Distribution - North west USA - British Columbia, northern Washington.

 

Other Names: Arborvitae, British Columbia cedar, British Columbia red cedar, Canoe cedar, Giant arbor-vitae, Giant arborvitae, Giant cedar, Gigantic cedar, Pacific red cedar, Shinglewood, Western arborvitae.

 

Characteristics: Varies from a pale pinkish-brown to dark brown. It is non-resinous but has a faintly pungent smell and is typically straight grained. It is one of the lightest weight soft woods in commercial use weighing 350 Kg/M3 when dry.

 

Working Qualities: The timber works easily with both hand and machine tools, bit its relatively brittle nature can cause splintering.

 

Uses: Western red cedar is one of the most durable softwoods available. Used as shingles, vertical cladding, weatherboards, greenhouses, interior trim, poles, posts and fencing.