Natural history: Western redcedar, an iconic tree of the Pacific Northwest

In a way, western redcedar defines the part of the world we live in. This majestic tree is mostly found along the Pacific Northwest coast, from northern California to southern Alaska. Its importance to Native cultures, forest ecosystems, the timber industry and our beautiful natural scenery is unparalleled. 

When I collected data on vegetation and soils during the summer for several years in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, I would sometimes work among towering western redcedar. Some of the trees exceeded 150 feet in height. In areas such as Misty Fjords National Monument east of Ketchikan, the trees seemed to have an endless supply of moisture dripping from their sweeping, upturned branches.

In our area, there are a couple of favorite places I like to go to walk among western redcedar. To the south, I often go to the trail system at Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve. Sometimes I head east and visit the cedars at Berthusen Memorial Park near Lynden.  

Indigenous people in areas where cedars grow have used and revered this magnificent tree for thousands of years. Lummi and other tribes of the Pacific Northwest sometimes refer to Western redcedar as “The Tree of Life.” The use of its wood and bark by northwest coast peoples is extensive and covers many aspects of daily life. The wood has been used to make canoes, planks and posts for structures, totem poles, paddles, fish weirs and many more items. The bark, which can be torn off the tree in long strips, has been used to make clothing, rope and baskets.

Jonathan Hall resides in Birch Bay. He is a retired biologist who has worked in many regions of the U.S. while employed with the State of New York, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, several environmental consulting firms and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.