Health Benefits. How to Tell Cedar From Spruce. Eric. Author. Eastern Red Cedar leaves are similar to Western Red Cedar in that they are scale-like and form "fingers." Root Rot. Post to. Prices are likely to be moderate for an imported hardwood. The species is "monoecious" meaning that the tree has both male and female reproductive parts. The close-grained, aromatic, and durable wood of junipers is used for furniture, interior paneling, novelties, and fence posts. We’re here to educate you on some of the most common types of trees found in the Portland area while offering you tips on how to best take care of them. Reply. Identification of the Northern White Cedar. It is not a true cedar of the genus Cedrus Cedar species in the United States can cause confusion to the uninitiated, as some common trees referred to as cedars aren't, such as the eastern red cedar which is really a member of the juniper family. However, they go all around the stem, rather than just forming opposite pairs. How to Identify Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) It’s important to note that western red cedar is not actually a true cedar. Cedar bark is often reddish, peeling and vertically furrowed. Red Cedar Tree Facts. Throughout the wood industry, specific standards have been set so that there is consistency in grading when Western Red Cedar, as well as other lumber, when it is manufactured; as well as bought and sold. Thuja plicata - Western Redcedar Thuja plicata: Thuja from the Greek name 'thuia' or 'thyia,' a kind of juniper or other resinous tree; plicata, meaning 'pleated'. (Philip Nealey/Photodisc/Getty Images) Redcedar is an evergreen growing 40 to 50 feet tall in an oval, columnar, or pyramidal form (very diverse) and spreading 8 to 15 feet when given a sunny location. Blog at WordPress.com. Toona ciliata reproduces by seed. Its heartwood—the harder wood near the center of the tree trunk—tends to be a reddish- or purplish-brown in color, while the sapwood (the outer rings of the tree) is usually pale yellow. Nature Reliance 14,179 views. The sapwood is almost white, and knots are often present throughout the wood. Red Cedar Toona ciliata [Toona australis] The Red Cedar is a magnificent very large tree species that reaches a height of more than 50m and develops an expansive buttress root system. This species can grow up to 60 m tall and 6 m in diameter. It is grown in the Hawaiian Islands of the United States, and southern and eastern Africa. Incense cedar has an acrid smell and taste whereas western red cedar has a sweet, pleasant smell. The production of Cedar shakes and shingles was a big business in the last century, but has declined due to limited availability of old-growth wood and building codes designed to reduce the risk of loss due to fire. Tree Identification Monday, October 11, 2010. Red Cedar Toona ciliata. Flowers: Green/Brown Leaves: sharp needles. Cedars have very typical "scale-like" leaves that can grow on flattened sprays or all around the twig. Cedars include species such as Eastern red cedar … Simple round flowers bloom in late autumn and give the tree a golden appearance. Eastern Red Cedar is slightly less aromatic than some other junipers but it can still be used in much the same way. Do these differences in appearance have an affect on the MOR, MOE, compression, shrinkage and dried weight? Inland Red Cedar is the same wood species as Wester Red Cedar, but because of the different growing conditions in the inland mountains of Idaho and Montana, Inland Red Cedar trees show differences in the wood grain, wood coloration, and smaller tree height. old red cedar trees and many younger dwarf junipers. Tales say that a person could receive its strength just by standing with their back to the tree. Western Red Cedar is still an important timber tree today although the second-growth wood is not as resistant to decay, as was the old-growth wood. While Western red cedar trees make for a great windbreak or natural privacy screen, they aren’t without their share of problems. Southeast. Reproduction and dispersal. Other Common Names/Trade Names: Giant Arborvitae Scientific Name: Thuja plicata Best Characteristics for Identification … The reason why this type of cedar is popular for outdoor construction is that they possess the ability to resist decay and repel unwanted water. For the general consumer, this can be somewhat confusing. This giant tree is called Thuja plicata, and is a member of the cypress family. Other common names: Eastern Juniper, Red Cedar, Red Juniper French names: Genévrier de Virginie Family: Cypress Family (Cupressaceae) Group: Junipers Distinctive features: Tree, Shrub Similar species: • Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) - similar mainly in name.Needles are soft. The berries of Eastern Red Cedar have a number of medicinal uses. In these cases, it becomes helpful to learn how to tell different species of cedar apart. These small leaves are persistent, decussate, less than 1/2 inch and can be prickly on some species. Your definition of "red cedar tree" may differ depending upon where you live. The wood obtained from Western red cedar is used for the construction of decking, siding, shingles, and plenty of outdoor structures. Odor: Aromatic Red Cedar has a distinct and tell -tale scent: the wood is commonly used in closets and chests to repel moths and other insects. Learn more about a few of the most common issues with Western red cedars. How to Identify an Eastern Red-Cedar Tree. Other common names: Arborvitae, Cedar, Eastern Arborvitae, Eastern Thuja, Northern White Cedar French names: Thuya occidental Family: Cypress Family (Cupressaceae) Distinctive features: Tree, Shrub Similar species: • Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) - similar only in name, different appearance. In parts of Zimbabwe and South Africa, it has naturalised; growing to maturity and spreading from seed. They are 1/4 inch long with long points. It is said to be a very strong tree and its strength is celebrated in its native land. Or select a region for a larger-scale map. Senior Lecturer at Harper Adams University, Jim Waterson, explains how to identify Wester Red Cedar (Thuja plicata). The "leaf" (if you can call it a leaf) is actually evergreen and scale-like off main shoot sprays. South central. Eastern red cedar heartwood bears pinkish-red tones with an occasional purplish tinge and deep reddish-brown streaks. Southwest. Northwest. Also known as Canoe Cedar, in reference to the canoes made from its rot-resistant wood by Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest. Click on the map as close as possible to your intended planting site. Northeast. Change the address on identification cards; Driving and Roads; The Tree Atlas : Southwest region Learn which trees are native to Ontario and the best species to plant where you live. Another thing worth noting is that the berries take 3 years to mature and are a dark blue when finally ready to pick. Tree Identification - Eastern Red Cedar - Duration: 7:39. Aromatic Red Cedar glues and finishes well, though in many applications, the wood is left unfinished to preserve its aromatic properties. The fruit is an excellent food source for many bird species including the cedar waxwing. Best development occurs on nutrient rich soils in subtropical rainforests, whereas trees found in drier types of rainforests are reduced in size. All of the native junipers are valuable ornamental species, and many horticultural varieties have been developed. Identifying Cedar: Cedar is a distinctive tall evergreen tree with a drooping leader, a wide buttressing base, and a fibrous, fluted trunk with gray to cinnamon-red bark. Resistance to decay: Western red cedar is the most decay-resistant cedar, making it great for outdoor construction projects like shakes and shingles.It is also one of the longest-living North American softwood trees. Lateral shoots are flattened, 1/8 inch long with short points. The true cedars consist of species such as the Atlantic white cedar, Alaska cedar, northern white cedar and western red cedar. Get Craig's New Book, Extreme Wilderness Survival, here: http://amzn.to/2jrDTAR Tree house, trees for survival and camping, tree of life??? Leaves can be yellow-green or dark green. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The eastern red-cedar is column-like or cone shape and usually measures 30 to 40 feet in height. For instance, instead of referring to a birdhouse made of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), one might simply say that the birdhouse is made of “cedar” without specifying the type. Tag Archives: Western Red Cedar Identification Grades of Western Red Cedar. This accounts for the presence of redcedar along ditches, fence lines, and utility lines. This wildlife popularity also contributes to the natural spread of redcedar because the cones are digested by birds, but the seeds pass through unharmed. Greenish-yellow leaves are flat with opposite scales. You can assess if your land has eastern red-cedar by looking for these traits: Dark green to blue-green foliage: Red-cedar trees can have one of two leaf shapes — scale-like and dull-pointed, or scaleawe-like and pointing away from the twig. 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