Northern White Cedar, Eastern White Cedar

Latin name: Thuja occidentalis

Etymology: The genus name comes from the Greek word thuo, which means ‘to sacrifice’ as cedar wood was often burned with animal sacrifices in the Ancient World to add a pleasing aroma to the fire. The species name means ‘western’ referring to it being a ‘New World’ species.

Family: Cupressaceae (Cypresses)

Origin: Eastern North America

Native habitats: Wet forests, coniferous swamps, cliffs.

Like many other conifers in Herrontown Woods, this northern white-cedar was surely planted. Native further north, often in swamps, it is doing well next to this rivulet. Note the horizontal rows of holes in the trunk, a sign that sapsuckers were feeding here.

Description: Northern White Cedars have a height of between 40-50 feet and a diameter of 2-3 feet. Leaves are nearly always scale-like and flattened and occur in 4 rows around twigs and are flattened from the sides. The bark is fibrous with numerous cross-thatched ridges, the heartwood is light-colored.   Cones are approximately bell-shaped and about 0.5 inches long.

Similar species: Atlantic white cedar has less flattened leaves and globular cones.

Wildlife value: Cedar swamps provide winter habitat and food for deer. Moose, snowshoe hares and cottontail rabbits eat twigs and foliage while red squirrels and many songbirds feed on the seeds.

Uses: Native Americans used this tree to make canoes. The essential oil within the plant has been used for cleansers, disinfectants, hair preparations, insecticides, liniment, room sprays, and soft soaps.  The soft, light-colored, durable wood is used for shingles and fire-by-friction sets while the outer bark supplies tinder.