With its scale-like needles that droop gracefully from the tree, Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata) is a temperate rainforest tree that is prized for its beauty. The Western Redcedar is a member of the cypress family and is called redcedar to denote the fact that it is not a true cedar.
Cedars Are Useful Trees
Cedar cultivars are commonly used as a hedge plant, while cedar planks and bark have been used for millennia, first by the aboriginal cultures of the Pacific Northwest and now by those who have settled in the area. Redcedar has been used for purposes as diverse as roofing shingles and clothing. The aromatic cedar boughs are also popular in Christmas wreaths.
Western Redcedar is a Natural in Wet, Shady Gardens
Western redcedar is a stunning feature tree for the damp and shady garden. This tree thrives in the shade of other trees, since it is naturally a second generation conifer in Pacific Northwest rainforests. With the Western Hemlock, it grows up under the canopy of the giant Douglas-firs, eventually overtaking them. In photos of the temperate rainforests on the coast of North America, there are venerable cedars that are hundreds of years old, wearing a coat of hanging moss.
When you determine the best location for your new cedar tree, look for a place that has good drainage but damp soil. The tree suits the far edge of a wetland garden, far away from any structures like ponds. Moist soil is essential to the cedar. Although the tree is not as fond of wet roots as the Sitka Spruce, it does require a moist environment to thrive. Western redcedars also do well beside small creeks where the water is rushing but not standing.
Give the Cedar Plenty of Space to Grow
This tree is not a small tree for the sidelines of the garden. Plan for the eventual height of the Western redcedar. It will grow up to 60 feet in height and have an eventual spread of up to 20 feet. Of course, this growth does not occur all at once, and the tree will live and grow for hundreds of years. Nonetheless, it is prudent to give a Western redcedar plenty of space to spread both horizontally and vertically.
Planting and Caring for the Western Redcedar
Plant the new tree in the spring if possible, and wait until it has been successful on the site for at least a year before you prune it. If you decide to prune your cedar tree, do not remove more than half of the new growth every year or the cedar may die or become patchy. If you decide to fertilize your new tree, do so with a fertilizer that encourages woody growth rather than leafy growth.
The Western Redcedar is an iconic tree of the Pacific Northwest wetland garden. Give it moist air and damp soil, and it will produce abundant aromatic branches and beautiful green foliage throughout the year.
Tricia Edgar - Tricia Edgar is a gardener, environmental educator, and science writer from the Pacific Northwest.
