StephK_cedar1
Other names for the Western redcedar include Pacific redcedar, giant-cedar, giant arborvitae, canoe-cedar, and shinglewood

Common name:

Western Redcedar

Botanical name:

Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don

Botanical description:

The red cedar is a common evergreen coniferous tree in the Cypress (Cupressaceae) family found in zones 5-7 (semihardy in zones 4 and 8) (Roth, 2001). Although it has shallow, spreading root systems, it can grow up to 70 meters tall, 6 meters in diameter, and over 1000 years old. A terminal shoot leads growth while branches droop yet turn upward at the ends, hanging from a buttressed trunk (Turner, 2010). Branchlets splay out, horizontally flattened with scale-like leaves that are periodically shed (Pojar & MacKinnon, 2004). Minute, pollen cones (male) ubiquitously cover the branches, while winged seed cones (female) mature from green to brown in loose arrangements. The lightweight aromatic grey bark contains natural fungicide, and tears in fibrous ridged strips (Arno & Hammerly, 2007; Lyons, 1952).

Preferred habitat:

Redcedar can grow in drier habitats given rich soils, but prefers moist wet soils in shady forests and alluvial sites without summer drought (Roth, 2001). Usually found up to 1000 metres, but may grow stunted up to 2100 metres, constrained by snow. Ideal climate is cool, cloudy summers and wet, mild winters with partial sunlight ideal for seedling survival. Precipitation should be at least 30 inches, but is preferably 60 to 120 annually (Parish, 1948).

Geographical origins:

Natural distribution from southeast Alaska to northwest California through BC, western Washington, and western Oregon, while extending inland to the Rocky Mountains.

Cultural/historical significance:

Almost all parts of the redcedar have been used by coastal First Nations and interior groups who found it within their range (Turner, 2010). Kwakwaka'wakw people called it the "tree of life", and it's been said the redcedar holds so much power one can gain strength by standing with your back to it (Pojar & MacKinnon, 2004). According to the Coast Salish, it was created by the Great Spirit in honour of a man who was dedicated to helping others: "When he dies and where he is buried, a cedar tree will grow and be useful to the people – the roots for baskets, the bark for clothing, the wood for shelter" (Stewart 1984:27).

The coastal First Peoples are famous for their cedar canoes, and took years of specialization and training for a man to achieve the training and skills necessary for making a large canoe (Turner, 2010). Colonially, Lewis and Clark adopted the redcedar canoe for their journeying down the Clearwater River in 1804 (Arno & Hammerly, 2007).

Material uses:

Wood used for shelter, building & framing, bentwood/kerfed boxes, bags, mats for walls, floors, and mattresses, capes, blankets, dugout canoes, totem & mortuary poles, sails, furniture, fishing nets, diapers, dishes, arrow & harpoon shafts, spear poles, fish clubs, fish spreaders, fish hangers, dipnet hooks/frames, barbecuing sticks, masks, rattles, benches, coffins, herring rakes, canoe bailers, fire starter, ceremonial drums, combs, fishing floats, drying racks, fish weirs, drum hoops, spirit whistles, incense, smoking, paddles, (Parish, 1948; Pojar & MacKinnon, 2004; Turner, 2010).

Valuable inner bark was used to create ceremonious head rings, neck rings, and armbands, belts, fishing lines, clothing including hats, baskets, harpoon lines, animal snares, and nets (Turner, 2010). When shredded, the bark decorated masks, and was made into brooms, paint brushes, aprons, skirts, capes, costumes, tinder, torches, napkins, towelling, bandaging, diapers, bed padding, gloves, and ropes. The ropes were used for sewing wood, binding, tying boards for houses, tying salmon to dry, bundles of torches, constructing fences, anchor lines, harpoon lines, tree-climbing belts, fishing lines, baby carriers, fish-nets, and duck nets. (Turner, 2010)

Outer bark was a useful covering and insulation for sweathouses, flooring, underground food caches, and tipis. The bark could be placed between layers of edible roots to prevent rooting in storage, and if steeped in water it could be used to tan fish hooks (Turner, 2010).

Roots used for lashings, nets, hats and mats, while the Salish peoples can construct coiled split-cedar-root baskets stitched together so tightly they're waterproof (Turner, 2010).

Edible uses:

There are few edible uses for redcedar. First Nations ate the spring cambium of Thuja plicata fresh, or they dried and ground it for making soup or bread. The pitch can be chewed like gum (Moerman, 1998).

Medicinal uses:

The fresh plant can be used in a tincture or dry. Tinctures or teas are useful for various tineas, vaginitis, stimulating smooth muscles, and respiratory, intestinal, urinary tract, and reproductive problems (Moore, 2011). First Nations used redcedar to treat many ailments, including rheumatism, lung issues, colds, fevers, and stomach discomfort (Parish, 1948). It has antifungal & antibacterial properties, and boosts the immune system which may even improve chronic infections.

Redcedar stimulates vascular capillary beds to expand, contract, heat and cool. This stimulation in response to local environmental changes explains the treatment for irritabilities throughout the body (Moore, 2011).

StephK_cedar2
The Western redcedar is British Columbia's provincial tree, but has been significant in this area for many centuries previous to colonization

Works Cited

Arno, S. F., & Hammerly, R. P. (2007). Northwest trees: Identifying and understanding the region's native trees. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books.

Lyons, C. P. (1952). Trees, shrubs, and flowers to know in British Columbia. Canada: J.M. Dent & Sons.

Moerman, D. (1998). Native American ethnobotany. Portland, OR: Timber Press Inc.

Moore, M. (2011). Medicinal plants of the Pacific West. Albuquerque, NM: Museum of New Mexico Press.

Parish, R. (1948). Tree book: Learning to recognize trees of British Columbia. Victoria, BC: Ministry of Forests.

Pojar, J., & MacKinnon, A. (2004). Plants of coastal British Columbia. Edmonton, AB: Lone Pine Publishing.

Roth, S. A. (2001). Taylor's guide to trees: The definitive, easy-to-use guide to 200 of the garden's most important plants. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Stewart, H. (1995). Cedar. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.

Turner, N. J. (2011). Plant technology of First Peoples in British Columbia. Victoria, BC: Royal British Columbia Museum.