Thuja plicata
Western red cedar, canoe cedar, Canoe Cedar
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Family: Cupressaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Thuja plicata (Western red cedar) is a native California tree in the Cupressaceae family, recognized by Only Thuja species reaching California at southern limit of Pacific Northwest range.
Western red cedar is a native tree found in northern coastal California, including Del Norte and Humboldt counties, in coastal conifer forest at elevations below 1,800 meters. A massive conifer with distinctive cinnamon-red bark, this tree can grow 30 to 70 meters tall with young shoots featuring a glossy dark green upper surface and faintly white-streaked lower surface. Growing with thick, fibrous bark approximately 1 to 2 centimeters thick, it develops impressive vertical structure in dense forest environments. Its branches create a complex texture with green foliage that has a characteristic white-streaked undersurface. Producing small light brown seed cones 10 to 19 millimeters long and narrow elliptic seeds 4 to 6 millimeters in length, this tree is a critical component of Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Thuja species reaching California at southern limit of Pacific Northwest range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal conifer forest
Elevation: < 1800 m
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana
How to tell it apart
vs Chamaecyparis: Thuja has upright oblong cones with overlapping scales; Chamaecyparis has round cones with shield-shaped scales.; vs Calocedrus: Thuja has upright cones and leaves as long as wide; Calocedrus has hanging cones and longer-than-wide leaves appearing whorled.; vs Sequoia: Thuja has only scale leaves in flat sprays; Sequoia has flat needles in two rows on most branches.; vs Cedrus: Thuja has tiny scale leaves and small cones; Cedrus has needles in clusters and large upright barrel-shaped cones.; vs Cupressus: Thuja has upright oblong cones that open quickly; Cupressus has round cones that stay closed for years.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thuja plicata native to California?
Yes. Thuja plicata is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Thuja plicata belong to?
Thuja plicata is in the Cupressaceae family, genus Thuja.
What habitat does Thuja plicata grow in?
Thuja plicata grows in Coastal conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.