Yellow-cedar Cupressus nootkatensis

SENĆOŦEN name: POŚELEḰ

Native to coastal regions of northwestern North America, including Victoria.

45 on the map, the #94 most common of 384 species.

Show Yellow-cedar trees on the map

The specific epithet "nootkatensis" is derived from its discovery by Europeans on the lands of a First Nation of Canada, those lands of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, who were formerly referred to as the Nootka.

The Nootka cypress is used extensively by the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, along with another cypress, Thuja plicata (western red cedar). While western red cedar was preferred for larger projects (houses, canoes), Nootka cypress was used for smaller carvings such as vessels and utensils. Boughs are used in sweat bath, as scrubbers, for rheumatism, arthritis, and protection (Kwakwaka’wakw) (Boas 1930; Turner and Bell 1973). Used for bows, canoe paddles, carving. Inner bark used for baskets, mats, clothing, blankets. Bark harvested for weaving material; only partially harvested so as not to kill tree (widely, Northwest Coast).

This species has been considered to be one of the finest timber trees in the world and has been exported to China during the last century. The wood has been used for flooring, interior finish and shipbuilding.

Where to find Yellow-cedar in Victoria

Cupressus nootkatensis on Wikipedia