Western Red Cedar Information by:
AYREWOOD LOG HOMES
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WESTERN RED CEDAR
- Other common names :Giant Arbor-Vitae, Canoe-cedar, Pacific
Red-cedar, Shingle wood
- The Western Red Cedar is British Columbia's official tree
- Can be referred to as "arbor-vitae" or "tree of
life"
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UNIQUE FEATURES: |
- drooping branches that turn up at tip
- trunk spreading out at the base
- has large number of cones bent backward along the branches
- long-lived, sometimes over 1,000 years
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| LOCATION: |
- low to mid elevations
- coast and wet belt of the Interior
- in cool, mild, moist locations
- can grow in shaded areas with lots of nutrients
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| SIZE: |
- a large red cedar tree, up to 60 meters tall when mature, trunk
often spreading out widely at the base
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| WOOD CHARACTERISTICS: |
- resistant to decay and insect damage
- western red cedar wood can remain sound for over 100 years
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| USES: |
- TRADITIONAL - western red cedar has been called "the
cornerstone of Northwest Coast aboriginal culture," and has great
spiritual significance. Coastal people used all parts of the
tree. They used the wood for dugout canoes, house planks, long houses,
clothing, and many tools such as arrow shafts, masks, and
paddles. The inner bark made rope, clothing, and baskets. The
long arching branches were twisted into rope and baskets. It was also
used for many medicines.
- MODERN - the wood is naturally durable and light in weight. It is
used for log homes, house siding and interior paneling as well as
outdoor furniture, decking and fencing. Because of its
resistance to decay and insect damage, the wood of large, fallen trees
remains sound for over 100 years. Even after 100 years, the wood can
be salvaged and cut into shakes for roofs.
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ALASKAN YELLOW CEDAR,
LODGEPOLE PINE, WHITE
SPRUCE |
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