Thuja plicata, an evergreen conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae. It is native to the Pacific Northwest in the United States as well as Canada’s British Columbia. Western Red Cedars are long-lived and commonly exceed a thousand years, with the oldest verified being 1,460 years. In the UK, Thuja plicata is mostly used as a hedging plant. It is a superior choice to Leylandii as it is marginally slower growing and easier managed, tolerating much closer trimming.

The rich, deep green foliage is beautiful and held in flat sprays with scale-like leaves, when clipped as a hedge this provides a dense green backdrop for which the brighter plants in the garden can contrast with. When it comes to clipping the foliage is wonderfully aromatic with a scent reminiscent of pineapple when crushed.

It makes an impressive specimen tree that will easily dominate any garden but it also takes shearing well and can be grown as hedge or tall screening. For a wild-life friendly garden it is also a must-have since it provides excellent shelter for birds and small mammals.  Its natural environment is along rivers and bogs so it takes wet ground well, but it can tolerate some drought as well as acid or alkaline soil.

Tree Specs

• Common Name: Western Red Cedar
• Botanical Name: Thuja plicata
• Mature Height: 20m+
• Key Features:
  • Best choice for evergreen hedging
  • Can be clipped back hard
  • Suitable for wet areas and excellent on a wide range of soils