Western redcedar Thuja plicata

SENĆOŦEN name: XPȺ¸

Native to western North America, including Victoria.

One of Victoria's most common trees: 513 on the map, about 1 in 68 trees (#17 of 384 species).

Show Western redcedar trees on the map

Western redcedar is also known as the giant arborvitae, by comparison with arborvitae for its close relative Thuja occidentalis. Arborvitae comes from the Latin for "tree of life"; coincidentally, indigenous peoples of the West coast also address the species as "long life maker". Western redcedar is a member of the cypress family and not a true cedar of the genus Cedrus.

Western red cedar has an extensive history of use by Indigenous peoples. Some northwest coast tribes refer to themselves as "people of the redcedar" because of their extensive dependence on the tree for basic materials. The wood has been used for constructing housing and totem poles, and crafted into many objects, including masks, utensils, boxes, boards, instruments, canoes, vessels, houses, and ceremonial objects. Western Red Cedar is also associated with a long tradition of curing and cooking fish over the open fire. Roots and bark are used for baskets, bowls, ropes, clothing, blankets, and rings.

Where to find Western redcedar in Victoria

Thuja plicata on Wikipedia