Field ManualAll plants

Western redcedar
Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don
Family: Cupressaceae
Pet & Human Safety
People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
No pet toxicity verdict is available for this plant: ASPCA has no page that assesses it (searched by species and common names). That is a gap, not an all-clear.
PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
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- Hardiness zones
USDA 5 to 7 per NC State (its North Carolina listing); Hardy to USDA 5 per Oregon State
- Light
Full sun to part shade
- Water needs
high
- Mature size
50 to 70 ft tall (15 to 21 m) and 15 to 25 ft wide (4.6 to 7.6 m) per NC State; taller in the wild
- Where it comes from
Alaska, western Oregon and Washington, northwest California, northern Idaho and western Montana, per NC State.
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
Get the app: coming soonAnatomy & Guilds
Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
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Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
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Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
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