1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native. Native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. Introduced to Britain in 1853 and now widely planted in forestry and as an ornamental.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Evergreen – retains foliage year-round.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Scale-like, glossy green, forming flat sprays. Undersides marked with white “butterfly-shaped” stomatal patterns. Crushed foliage has a sweet, fruity scent.
Bark: Reddish-brown, fibrous, and stringy, peeling in long strips.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Monoecious. Male cones are small and red-brown; female cones are green, maturing to brown, 1–1.5 cm long, with 8–12 scales. Seeds are small and winged.
Overall shape: Tall, conical tree with a narrow crown when young, broadening slightly with age. Branches droop at the tips.
4. Typical Size
30–45 m tall in the UK (over 60 m in native range). Spread 6–10 m. Very long-lived, often 400–800 years in native forests.
5. Habitat & Range
Planted widely in Britain in parks, estates, and forestry plantations, especially in wetter western regions. Thrives in moist, fertile soils.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Flat sprays of glossy green scale leaves with white markings beneath.
Sweet, fruity smell when foliage is crushed.
Reddish fibrous bark peeling in strips.
Drooping branch tips.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Male cones shed pollen; female cones develop.
Summer: Dense green canopy, sweet-scented foliage.
Autumn: Cones ripen and release seeds.
Winter: Evergreen crown remains; reddish bark prominent.
8. Human Uses
In North America, timber highly valued for shingles, fencing, cladding, and outdoor structures (light, durable, and rot-resistant).
In the UK, used for ornamental planting, hedging, and forestry.
Aromatic wood and foliage used historically by Indigenous peoples for canoes, totem poles, and rituals.
9. Wildlife Value
Provides cover and roosting sites for birds and mammals.
Cones provide seeds eaten by small mammals and birds.
Supports some invertebrates, though less than native trees.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
Known as the “giant of the Pacific Northwest,” forming vast forests with Douglas fir and Sitka spruce.
In its native range, it was called the “tree of life” by Indigenous peoples due to its many uses.
In Britain, often confused with Lawson cypress and other conifers in surveys.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained loams; tolerates acidic and neutral soils; dislikes chalky soils.
Light: Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
Watering: Water young trees regularly; drought-tolerant once established in cool climates.
Spacing: 3–5 m apart for hedges; 8–10 m for specimen planting.
Aftercare: Mulch to conserve moisture. Clip hedges annually. Minimal pruning needed for specimens. Protect saplings from browsing.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Useful as hedging, screens, and in parks; tolerates pollution and pruning well.
Garden: Suitable for medium to large gardens as hedging or specimen trees. Too large for small gardens, though dwarf cultivars exist.
Hedges: Very good for hedges