- Botanical name: Thuja plicata
- Common name: Western red cedar
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
Green
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
Thuja plicata, also known as the western red cedar, is a conifer found growing in the forests of Western North America. Allowed to grow naturally, it makes a tall, conical-shaped tree that can reach up to 35m high. It bears slightly drooping branches of mid-green, scale-like leaves, and has attractive, egg-shaped pine cones. Thuja plicata makes a fantastic, fast-growing hedging plant.
How to grow Thuja plicata
Plant Thuja plicata in a sunny spot in moist but well-drained soil. Trim hedges twice a year in spring and late summer but do check for nesting birds beforehand and leave pruning until autumn if you think birds may be using the hedge. Be careful if you have sensitive skin as the foliage may aggravate skin allergies.
How to grow Thuja plicata
-
Plant size
35m height
9m spread
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do Prune in June |
J
Do Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Thuja plicata and wildlife
Thuja plicata has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Thuja plicata poisonous?
Thuja plicata has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
