Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) is a western North American evergreen valued for its landscape form and for lightweight wood whose heartwood resists decay. That resistance does not make the wood strong: western redcedar is soft and relatively weak, and its sapwood is less decay resistant. For construction, the distinction matters when choosing material for an exposed or load-bearing application.
What is western redcedar?
Western redcedar is a conifer in the cypress family, Cupressaceae. Its common name can be misleading: a product labeled “cedar” is not necessarily Thuja plicata. Natural Resources Canada lists giant arborvitae and western thuja as alternate names; the USDA NRCS also records names including Pacific red-cedar, shinglewood and canoe cedar. Confirm the species when it matters for a project.
The USDA NRCS Plant Guide explains that the common name refers to the tree’s western distribution and cedar-like appearance. The guide is available at USDA NRCS, Western Red Cedar Plant Guide.
How to identify the tree
Look for several features together rather than relying on one characteristic. Natural Resources Canada describes scale-like leaves, commonly 1–2 mm long, and fern-like, often drooping shoots. Mature bark is reddish-brown and becomes shredded and ridged. The ovoid cones are about 12–18 mm long. USDA NRCS notes that the flattened, fan-shaped foliage sprays have white stripes on their undersides.
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These features can help distinguish the species, but regional lookalikes and variable common names make botanical confirmation preferable when identification affects a planting or material purchase. See the Natural Resources Canada western redcedar factsheet.
Where western redcedar grows
The species is native to western North America. USDA NRCS describes a coastal and Cascade range from southeastern Alaska to northwestern California, as well as a Rocky Mountain segment extending from British Columbia and Alberta into Idaho and Montana. Natural Resources Canada records it in coastal and wetter interior British Columbia, from sea level to 2,000 m, including moist alluvial sites.
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It commonly grows with other conifers and hardwoods rather than forming pure stands. Its natural association with moist settings is useful context for landscape planning, but local climate and site conditions still determine whether a particular planting will thrive. Sources: USDA NRCS Plant Guide and Natural Resources Canada factsheet.
Is western red cedar rot resistant?
Its heartwood resists decay; its sapwood is less resistant. The heartwood ranges from pinkish or reddish-brown to deep brown, while sapwood is yellowish-white. This difference matters in boards and other products: the species name alone does not establish how much decay-resistant heartwood a particular piece contains.
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Decay resistance is not the same as immunity to pests or a guarantee of service life. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory technical sheet notes that western redcedar is not immune to termites or furniture beetles. No fixed lifespan follows from the species designation alone; exposure, material selection, installation and maintenance all matter. Sources: Natural Resources Canada and USDA Forest Products Laboratory technical sheet.
How strong is western red cedar?
Western redcedar is very light and soft, with relatively low strength. Its natural decay resistance can make it useful in exposed applications, but it should not be selected as a structural member on that fact alone. These sources do not establish a structural rating for a particular board or authorize its use in a specific assembly.
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For any load-bearing use, check the actual product’s species, grade and structural rating, then follow applicable design requirements and local code. The USDA Forest Service’s western redcedar review describes the wood as low in strength and soft while noting its heartwood’s decay resistance.
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Documented uses include shingles and shakes, exterior siding, outdoor patios, poles and posts, boatbuilding, greenhouse construction, doors, window sashes, millwork and interior finishing. USDA NRCS also lists fence posts, piling, paper pulp and containers. These are examples of established uses, not a substitute for checking that a specific product is graded and suited to the intended application.
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When comparing western redcedar boards, shingles or shakes, verify:
- That the product is actually Thuja plicata, not another wood sold under a general cedar label.
- The grade, dimensions and intended application, including whether a structural rating is required.
- Whether the piece is heartwood, sapwood or a mix, especially for decay-exposed uses.
- The expected exposure, finish and maintenance needs, along with installation requirements and local code.
The available sources do not establish current prices, comparative life-cycle costs or market grades. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory sheet also warns that wood dust may cause bronchial asthma and/or contact dermatitis; consult the technical sheet and applicable workplace guidance when handling or machining the wood.
Can western redcedar be planted as a hedge?
Yes. Oregon State University says western redcedar can be maintained as a hedge and recommends sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained, fertile soil. The species can also become a very large tree; the USDA NRCS guide describes moisture-associated habitat and multiple cultivars. Choose a cultivar and planting location suited to local climate and the space available, and confirm local nursery stock rather than assuming a particular cultivar is appropriate or available.
See Oregon State University’s Thuja plicata profile and the USDA NRCS Plant Guide.
Indigenous cultural uses
The USDA NRCS guide documents Indigenous uses of western redcedar wood, bark, roots and limbs for houses, canoes, clothing, baskets, rope, mats and other materials. It describes the tree as “the cornerstone of northwest coast Indian culture.” That broad description should not be read as implying one uniform practice across Indigenous nations. Oregon State University also discusses cultural uses in its species profile.
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