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Native Trees of Prince Edward IslandEastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
White Cedar tree.
Description:
This small tree can reach a height of 40 ft. (13 m), with a diameter of up to 1 ft. (30 cm). The trunk usually has a lot of taper and is often twisted. Leaves are small and scale-like and stay on all year. The bark is thin and reddish brown, furrowing and peeling as it gets older.
Growing Conditions:
Cedar grows in swamps or wet sites, mainly in Prince County. It can grow on dry areas, but usually does not make good growth. It will not tolerate much shade.
Propagation:
Cedar cones can easily be collected from the trees, since some the branches often droop down within reach. Collect the cones in late September and October, before they turn brown and release the seeds. Treat the cones the same as for red spruce. Seedlings should be given partial shade and not be allowed to dry out. Cedar can also be grown from cuttings. Six inch cuttings should be made in mid-summer or mid-winter and treated with rooting hormone. The rooted cuttings should be raised in a nursery bed for a year or two and given light shading and mulch.
close up of White Cedar.
Wildlife Uses:
A healthy cedar hedge is a thing of beauty, for humans and other forms of wildlife. The seeds are a preferred food for pine siskins and are eaten by a grosbeaks, redpolls, crossbills, and other species of birds and small mammals. But it is as protection and cover that cedar excels, since smaller birds can find solace from both winter winds a(See Attracting Birds in Winter Page) and predators within the dense branches.
White Cedar bark.
Areas of usage:
Cedar can be used for streamside or wetland rehabilitation and in reforestation on wet sites. Some cedar were planted at Macphail Woods in a wetter part of the old field white spruce area and are growing well. This is due to the dampness of the area and the taller trees around it providing light shade. Cedar can also be used around homes if there is already some protection. It does not make a good hedgerow or windbreak tree if there is no protection, since the leaves dry out from heavy winter winds. The wood is our most rot resistant and is used for fence posts, shingles and in boat building.
For more pictures and descriptions of this species, check out the Atlantic Forestry Centre, the CFS N.B. Trees Page, and the Iowa State University Dendrology page and the Dendrology at Virginia Tech Page and the Virtual Foliage Homepage. For a review of the ecology of this species, refer to the Silvics of North America and the The Natural History of the Northwoods.
In 1806, John Stewart wrote an excellent description of Forest Trees and Other Vegetable Productions on PEI at that time.
Eastern white cedar typical tree form.
Eastern white cedar leaf.
Read more here.
We offer a number of workshops and guided tours at the Macphail Woods and it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the native trees of Prince Edward Island. Check out the Events Calendar for more information. Web development and maintenance by Chris Martin.
