DNRC Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery
Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar
Out of stock
*ORDERING QUANTITIES - our seedlings are sold in bulk*
10 - 27 cubic inch (ci) seedlings are sold in bundles of 24 (1 unit = 24 seedlings)
100 & 175 cubic inch (ci) seedlings are sold in bundles of 9 (1 unit = 9 seedlings)
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Thuja plicata
Natural Habitat: Moist forests, riparian zones, shaded slopes, cool canyons and mixed conifer stands
Foliage / Flowers: Evergreen conifer with flattened, scale-like foliage forming rich green sprays. Bark is fibrous and reddish brown. Seed cones are small, 0.5 in long, turning from green to brown at maturity.
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, tolerates deep shade better than most conifers
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
20-year Height: 20-35 ft depending on moisture and soil quality
Elevation Range: Sea level to about 7,000 ft in inland regions
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 7
Fire Tolerance: Low, thin bark and resin content make it fire sensitive
Wind Tolerance: Moderate to high, strong in sheltered sites but can be vulnerable to windthrow in shallow soils
Soil Preference: Moist, well‑drained loams or silty soils, thrives in sites with high organic matter, tolerates periodic flooding
Alkali / Saline Soil Tolerance: Low
Life Span: Commonly 500-1,000 years, occasionally older
Minimum Annual Precip: Performs best with 30-60 in of moisture or reliable soil moisture
Drought Tolerance: Low, highly moisture dependent
Windbreak Spacing: 10-16 ft
Potential Pests / Disease: Cedar leaf blight, root rot, bark beetles and leaf miners
Deer Resistance: Low to moderate, young seedlings often browsed
Wildlife Value:
- Provides year‑round cover and thermal protection for birds and mammals
- Supports insects including leaf miners, caterpillars and beetles used by songbirds
- Seeds eaten by small mammals and birds
- Decaying wood provides habitat for fungi, invertebrates and cavity‑nesting wildlife
