Cedars 



Canoe cedar. From Alaska to northern California 

 grows a species of arbor vitae which is very large and 

 beautiful, with the trunk sometimes attaining a diameter 

 of 15 feet. This is known as canoe cedar and also as 

 western red cedar. From it the Indians of the north- 

 west coast build their lodges, carve their wonderful 

 totem poles, and hollow out their great war canoes. 

 From the fibers of the inner bark they make ropes, 

 blankets, and thatches for their cabins. The principal 

 uses of the wood are for shingles, cooperage, poles, and 

 posts. It is light in weight, reddish brown in color, 

 and has an aromatic odor and a spicy taste. 



Why do plants have fleshy fruits? Why does the 

 red cedar produce berries ? Is it to provide food for the 

 birds ? Or does a tree have some purpose of its own that 

 is served by a fleshy fruit? Perhaps you have seen 

 young cedars come up along a fence row. If you can 

 find out how they were planted there, you will under- 

 stand the use of the fruit to the tree. Why do many 

 fruits have bright colors? 



