NOTES ON WESTERN RED CEDAR. 79 



8. Notes on Western Red Cedar {Thuja plicatay 



By James Kay. 



A notable feature of red cedar is the frequent production of 

 two leaders (at times 3-5) which combine to form a dense crown. 

 Except when growing in dense stands, the trees retain practically 

 all their branches until they are 18-20 inches in diameter and 

 often 50-80 feet in height, hence the necessity for close planting. 



Western red cedar is very tolerant of shade and ranks with 

 western hemlock in this respect; this quality varies, however, 

 with age, altitude, amount of atmospheric and soil moisture, 

 and climatic conditions. The trees grow well in dense shade 

 during the seedling and early polewood stages of life, but 

 rapidity of growth is retarded in proportion to the density of the 

 shade ; for though a high degree of shade is tolerated without 

 retarding growth during early life, it is not required later on. 



The climate of the region in which the species grows is 

 variable. The temperature ranges from 100 degrees to 30 

 degrees below zero, Fah. The trees generally grow on moist 

 flats, river bottoms, benches, gentle slopes, in and about swampS 

 and wet places generally. Abundant soil moisture on the whole 

 is more important than quality or quantity of soil. Both are, 

 however, necessary for the best development of the tree. 



From ancient times cedar wood has been famous for its 

 remarkable durability and resistance to decay, even under the 

 most severe conditions. Trees which fell in damp woods 

 centuries ago are found to-day, except for the sapwood, sound 

 and fit for lumber. 



The usual height of western red cedar is from 100 to 150 feet, 

 with a diameter (D.B.H.) of from 3 to 8 feet. Exceptional trees 

 attain a height of 200 feet and a diameter of 15 feet. I have 

 seen trees up to 23 feet in diameter (D.B.H.). 



In the table the periodic annual growth shows the average 

 annual growth by decades. The figures are placed opposite the 

 middle of the decade to which they apply. Thus, the periodic 

 annual growth for the decade from 10-20 years is placed opposite 

 the year 15, from 20-30 opposite 25, and so on. 



Western red cedar compared with the associated species, 



' Reply to query by Mr William Fyfe in Transactions iox September 1921 

 (Vol, x.'iv., Pt. I, p. 82). 



