Western Redcedar
Thuja plicata
abdallahh from Montréal, Canada
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Genus:
- Thuja
- Species:
- Thuja plicata
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr
- Bloom Colors:
- Red, Purple
Native Range
United States: Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Argyresthia freyella, Brown angle shades (Phlogophora periculosa), common idia (Idia aemula), Eupithecia annulata, Eupithecia graefii, Eupithecia longipalpata, Eupithecia maestosa, Eupithecia palpata, Eupithecia placidata, Eupithecia sabulosata, Eupithecia unicolor, Eupithecia usurpata, Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata), Gabriola dyari, hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Imitated Melanolophia (Melanolophia imitata), Mournful Thorn (Lambdina fiscellaria), Neoalcis californiaria, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Porcelain Gray (Protoboarmia porcelaria), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Semiothisa setonana, Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata), Spiramater lutra, Entomologist's hairstreak (Incisalia eryphon), Nelson's hairstreak (Mitoura nelsoni)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in deep, fertile soils of river valleys
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed into fine mesh bags and soaked in running tap water for 48 hours. Then, seeds are stratified (cold, moist) for 28 to 65 days at 34 to 36°F. After stratification, seeds are soaked again for 24 hours in running tap water.
Establishment: Seeds are collected when cones are brown, but before scales begin to reflex. Cone bearing branches are cut and fall on a tarp below. Cones are hand pulled off branches and stored in paper bags. Germination was greater in light than dark. The protocols do not provide a specific germination rate.
Source: npn.rngr.net