redcedar

Redcedar is a common name for several evergreen conifers in the Cupressaceae family, native to North America. It is not a precise scientific term and can refer to different species depending on the region. The two most widely referenced are Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) of the Pacific Northwest and Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) of the eastern United States. Some sources also call Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) redcedar.

Western redcedar grows in moist, coastal and mountainous forests from northern California to British Columbia. It is a large tree, often reaching 30–50 meters in height, with a reddish-brown, stringy bark. The foliage consists of flat, aromatic sprays of scale-like leaves. The heartwood is durable and resistant to decay, and the wood accepts finishes well. Its products include shingles, siding, decking, and boatbuilding timber.

Eastern redcedar is native to eastern North America, from southern Canada to Florida and into the Midwest. It is a smaller tree, typically 6–15 meters tall, with dense, aromatic heartwood that can be reddish to purplish. The wood is very decay resistant and used for chests, closets, fence posts, and outdoor furniture. It is also valued for essential oils and pest-deterrent applications.

Northern white cedar, more often called arborvitae, is native to boreal and eastern regions of North America. It is commonly used in ornamental plantings and as hedging or screens. It is not as durable as Western redcedar or Eastern redcedar for heavy timber uses, but it shares the cedar-like aroma and can provide rot resistance when preserved.