COMMON NAME: Western Redcedar
LATIN NAME: Thuja plicata
GIVEN NAME: “Gerald”
COLLECTOR: Nathan D, Summit Atlas School, GR 7
DATE COLLECTED: 10/21/24
LOCATION: Fauntleroy Watershed, Seattle, WALAT/LONG: 47.517472, -122.378331
LOCATION OF DRIED SPECIMEN: Summit Atlas School, West Seattle, WA

The western red cedar belongs to the Cupressacae family and in Latin it’s referred to as Thuja plicata.

It’s a tall tree that can grow up to 150 with the tallest one being 178 ft.

it’s usually 15- 30 feet wide and there are some trees so wide they can be driven through.

These incredible trees can live up to 1,500 years old and are so strong,durable and resistant to decay that they are perfect for building houses and or cabins.

These trees are native from S.E. Alaska down to northern California going along the coast,along with British Columbia.

The bark is thick, fibrous, and can be red-brown in color and they typically thrive in moist and coastal environments.

The wood is widely used for shingles, fencing, and outdoor furniture along with houses and cabins.

They also play a role in carbon sequestration and provide shade and shelter in forest ecosystems.

Overall the western red cedar tree is an impressive and cool tree that even has medical properties such as the leaves being a popular internal and external medicine for painful joints along with other things.

-Nathan D., Summit Atlas School, GR 7