Thuja plicata  #2 at Cathays Cemetery

Thuja plicata 0

Thuja plicata
early February 2021

Grid reference ST 18383 78804
Common name Western red cedar
Origin West North America
Deciduous No
Map section L
Height 17M February 2021
Girth Multi-stem
Reference 629

This tree is adjacent to the north east boundary and the railway line. Close to the tree there a slight fragrance vaguely resembling Philadelphus. The fragrance is far more evident when some leaves are crushed.

Thuja plicata bark

Thuja plicata bark
early February 2021

Thuja plicata foliage1

Thuja plicata foliage
early February 2021

Thuja plicata foliage2

Thuja plicata foliage
early February 2021

Thuja plicata cone1

Thuja plicata immature cones
late September 2023

Thuja plicata cone2

Thuja plicata cones
early February 2021

Thuja plicata flower1

Thuja plicata female flowers
early March 2021

General tree description

Thuja plicata is a large or very large tree, up to 45 metres tall in Britain. It has a neat spire shape with a broad base of spreading branches. The bark is dark red-brown and has a shredding texture. The foliage is aromatic, giving a strong, sweet, fruity scent especially when crushed. It comprises flat 2D, drooping sprays of scale-like leaves, bright glossy green above, with green-white undersides. Tiny, pale yellow, inconspicuous male flowers emerge on the ends of the smallest shoots and in March they shed very fine pollen. Female flowers are reddish-purple and are followed by the cones. These are egg-shaped and approximately 15mm long. They are green to yellow-green, ripening to brown.