Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens

Tree of the month series - this series of short articles about trees in the Belfast Botanic Gardens is compiled by members of the Friends group and Gardens staff. We aim to build up to a comprehensive archive of trees in Belfast Botanic Gardens. Each article illustrates a tree growing in Belfast Botanic Gardens together with information from a range of sources. Where possible we will give the tree tag number - these are the small aluminium discs, usually fixed on the tree trunk, 2 to 3m above ground level. Click here to view the tree archive

Jon Pilcher

Thuja plicata, the Western red cedar, is a native of Western North America where it is usually found in mixed populations with Douglas fir and Western hemlock.It can grow to as much as 70m tall and individuals may live for over 1000 years. In spite of the name it is not a true cedar. It can be distinguished from many superficially similar conifers by the distinctive pineapple scent of the crushed leaves and the pointed cones. While not really suitable for a small garden, it can be maintained as a hedge. The species name means 'platted' from the appearance of the close-packed leaves. The wood is of considerable commercial importance.

Western red cedar in Belfast Botanic Gardens	Leaves of Western red cedar
Detail of 'plicate' leaves of Western red cedar	Female cones of Western red cedar
Female cone - detail	Distinctive reddish bark of Western red cadar

Photos taken in 2011 in Belfast Botanic Gardens. Copyright Jon Pilcher