Western red cedar
Thuja plicata
The great cedar of the Northwest rainforest; wants steady moisture.
Hardiness: zones 5 to 8
Light: part shade
Size: about 70 ft tall, 25 ft wide
From: Pacific coast
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: wildlife.
Native to: Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, Alaska, Rockies & Great Basin. Hardy in zones 5 to 8.
The story
Western red cedar is called the tree of life by the peoples of the Northwest coast, who made canoes, house planks, totem poles, boxes, rope and rain-shedding clothing from its wood and bark, often harvesting from a living tree without killing it.
Planting
Part shade to sun, with moist, rich soil and humid air. Shelter it from drying wind.
Growing
Water deeply in dry summers. Mulch to keep the roots cool.
Harvest and use
A dense evergreen screen and nesting cover. The wood resists rot for generations.
What to watch for
Drought stress browns the tips. Not a tree for hot, dry sites.
See if Western red cedar fits your yard
Free planner: enter your ZIP for frost dates, climate fit and a sowing calendar. No account, no ads, no tracking cookies.
More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home