Western Red Cedar
Thuja plicata
The most iconic tree of the Pacific Northwest, common throughout Port Moody, Coquitlam, and the Tri-Cities. Often found in backyards, parks, and as privacy hedges.
Identification
40-60m (130-200ft)
Up to 3m diameter with reddish-brown, fibrous bark that peels in long strips
Scale-like, overlapping, flat sprays with a distinctive aromatic scent when crushed
Small, 1-1.5cm, egg-shaped, clustered near branch tips
Key Identifying Features
- Distinctive aromatic cedar scent
- Reddish, stringy bark
- Flat, fan-like foliage sprays
- Buttressed trunk base on mature trees
- Drooping branch tips
Identification Photos
Click any photo to enlarge. Photos help with identification but may vary by age, season, and location.
Tree Care
Watering
Prefers consistently moist soil. Established trees are drought-tolerant but may show stress (browning foliage) in extended dry periods.
Pruning
Tolerates pruning well. Shape hedges and remove dead wood regularly. Avoid cutting into old wood as it may not regenerate.
Best time: Late spring to early summer, after new growth emerges
Common Issues
- Cedar leaf blight (brown patches)
- Spider mites in dry conditions
- Root rot in poorly drained soil
- Winter browning from desiccation
Maintenance Notes
Low maintenance once established. Mulch to retain moisture. Water during drought to prevent stress browning.
Root System
Shallow, spreading fibrous root system
Can extend 2-3 times the canopy width, primarily in top 60cm of soil
Potential Concerns
- Can lift sidewalks and driveways
- Surface roots compete with lawns
- May destabilize in saturated soil
- Generally less invasive than deciduous trees
Hazard Assessment
Common Failure Modes
- Whole-tree windthrow in saturated soil
- Top breakage in ice storms
- Leader failure in multi-leader specimens
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Leaning trunk with root plate movement
- Significant crown dieback
- Fungal conks at base
- Browning progressing from inner to outer foliage
Removal Considerations
Key Considerations
- Large mature specimens require crane or technical rigging
- Wood is lightweight but brittle - requires careful sectioning
- Shallow root system means potential for sudden windthrow
- Often located near structures due to hedge use
- Heritage tree protection may apply in many municipalities
Permit Notes
A mature Western Red Cedar is over every threshold in the region, so assume a permit. Permit thresholds vary across the region: any tree at all in Anmore and Belcarra, 15cm or 5m tall in Port Coquitlam, 20cm in Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster and Delta, and 30cm in Port Moody, Burnaby and Surrey. Coquitlam allows two protected trees a year without one, but that allowance disappears if the lot has a riparian area, a steep slope or a covenant on title. Expect replacement planting as a condition, and an arborist report if the tree is being called hazardous.
Check the rules where the tree is
- Port Moody
- Coquitlam
- Port Coquitlam
- Anmore
- Belcarra
- Pitt Meadows
- Maple Ridge
- New Westminster
- Burnaby
- Surrey
- Delta
- Langley
Side-by-side comparison in our Tri-Cities tree bylaw guide. Each city page links to the municipality's own bylaw, which is the authority - these summaries are a starting point, not a permit decision.
Need Help With This Tree?
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