Trees diurnal

western redcedar

Thuja plicata

Known as the 'Giant of the Woods,' the western redcedar is a majestic evergreen that provides a sanctuary for wildlife and a sense of ancient history to any landscape.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 45-70 m (150-230 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of 2-7 m (7-23 ft)

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Colors

Deep glossy green foliage with white 'butterfly' markings on the underside; reddish-brown to silver-grey fibrous bark

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Key Features

Scale-like leaves arranged in flat, fern-like sprays
Small, upright cones that resemble tiny wooden rosebuds
Reddish-brown bark that peels in long, vertical stringy strips
Distinctive 'J-shape' to the lower branches that swoop upward

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 24 hours (Best photographed in morning light)

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Season Year-round

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Diet Autotrophic; produces energy via photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and CO2 while absorbing soil nutrients through its root system.

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Habitat Moist to wet soils, frequently found in shaded valley bottoms, riparian zones, and temperate rainforests.

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Behavior

The western redcedar is often referred to as the 'Tree of Life' due to its immense ecological and cultural importance. As a climax species, it is remarkably shade-tolerant, capable of surviving in the dim understory of an old-growth forest for centuries while waiting for a gap in the canopy to open. It is a slow-growing but incredibly long-lived giant, with many specimens surpassing the 1,000-year mark. Its wood contains natural fungicidal compounds (thujaplicins), which prevent rot and allow the tree to remain standing even after significant internal damage.

In the backyard ecosystem, the western redcedar acts as a silent guardian. Its dense, evergreen canopy provides a vital microclimate, offering cool shade in the summer and a thermal buffer during freezing winter nights. It interacts with the environment by enriching the soil with its shed needles and providing a structural foundation for complex webs of moss, lichens, and fungi. For humans, it is a majestic ornamental that demands space but rewards the owner with a year-round privacy screen and a soothing, aromatic scent.

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Camera Tips

To capture the true essence of a western redcedar on a trail camera, you must think about scale and texture rather than movement. If your goal is to photograph the tree itself, place your camera at a low angle—about 1 to 2 feet off the ground—and tilt it upward at a 45-degree angle. This 'worm's eye view' emphasizes the massive, fluted trunk and the dramatic upward sweep of the branches. Because the bark has a beautiful, fibrous texture, avoid using a direct flash at night which can wash out the details; instead, rely on the soft, natural light of the 'blue hour' just before sunrise.

Western redcedars are wildlife magnets, making them the perfect 'stage' for your camera setup. Mounting a camera directly onto the trunk of a large redcedar facing a nearby clearing is a classic strategy, but for more unique shots, try mounting your camera on a branch or post facing the tree's base. Many mammals, including black bears and bobcats, use the base of large cedars as marking posts or sheltered resting spots. If your camera has a high-trigger sensitivity, aim it at the lower 'J-shaped' branches where birds like Varied Thrushes and Pacific Wrens often forage for insects hidden in the foliage.

For the most stunning visual results, set your camera to a time-lapse mode during the winter months. Western redcedars look spectacular when draped in snow, and a time-lapse can capture the tree’s flexibility as the branches bow under the weight and spring back up. If you are interested in the tree's reproductive cycle, use a macro-lens attachment or a close-up setting in early spring to capture the tiny, rosebud-like cones as they develop. Ensure your camera is set to its highest resolution (20MP or higher) to capture the intricate white 'butterfly' patterns on the underside of the leaves, which are a key identification feature.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with western redcedar.

Incense-cedar

Incense-cedar has leaves with longer 'segments' that resemble a wine glass shape and cones that open like a duck's bill.

Yellow Cedar

Yellow cedar has drooping, 'weeping' branchlets that hang in vertical curtains and lacks the white butterfly markings on the leaf undersides.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a plant, the western redcedar is 'active' during daylight hours when it performs photosynthesis. However, it provides habitat and shelter for wildlife 24/7, making it a great focal point for cameras at any hour.

Western redcedars require moist, well-drained soil and plenty of space. You can purchase saplings from local nurseries. They prefer cooler, damp climates and benefit from mulching to keep their shallow roots moist.

Western redcedars do not 'eat' in the traditional sense; they produce their own food through photosynthesis using sunlight and CO2. They also draw water and essential minerals like calcium from the soil through their roots.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas of the Pacific Northwest and are frequently used as privacy screens or hedging, though they can grow far larger than most homeowners realize if not pruned.

Look at the cones and leaves. Western redcedar has small 'rosebud' shaped cones and white 'butterfly' marks on the underside of its leaves, while incense cedar has longer, 3-segmented cones and leaves that look like wine glasses.

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