Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is the largest tree in the Cypress family. In its native habitat, it can reach up to 200 feet tall and live for hundreds, and even thousands, of years. The western red cedar is a fast-growing tree that thrives in many forest types and soil conditions throughout western North America, including Alaska and eastern Asia.
The western red cedar has an incredibly strong wood that resists insects and rotting. Its natural durability makes it an attractive choice for construction materials such as siding, fencing, decking and shingles. This vast range of uses has created the demand for vast amounts of western red cedar trees over the years; however, only sustainable harvests are a viable method of western red cedar production.
Western red cedar contributes more than just wood to the economy, it also provides wildlife habitat and benefits humans in many ways. Western red cedar trees clean air and water, support native biodiversity, prevent erosion and flooding, provide shelter for fish and birds, reduce noise from highways and railways, increase property values by creating a natural barrier to urban sprawl in private areas, create shade in yards or public spaces like pathways or parks; western red cedar is even the official tree of British Columbia. The western red cedar has proven itself invaluable to humans in virtually every way imaginable.