Western Red Cedar Tree Seeds | (Thuja plicata)
Western Red Cedar Tree Seeds | (Thuja plicata)
Ancient, aromatic, and towering with legacy.
Thuja plicata, known as Western Red Cedar, is a majestic evergreen native to the Pacific Northwest—revered for its towering height, rich reddish bark, and fragrant foliage. Thriving in cool, moist forests from Alaska to Northern California, this long-lived conifer forms the backbone of coastal ecosystems and has been cherished for centuries by Indigenous communities.
With soft, scale-like foliage and graceful drooping sprays, Western Red Cedar creates dense privacy screens, windbreaks, and habitat corridors. Its natural resistance to decay makes it one of the most valuable timber species in North America, while its ecological importance makes it indispensable in reforestation and restoration projects.
Why Grow Western Red Cedar?
- Iconic Pacific Northwest evergreen with towering presence
- Soft, aromatic foliage and richly textured fibrous bark
- Excellent for privacy hedges, windbreaks, and habitat restoration
- Long-lived and highly adaptable in moist climates
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Thuja plicata
- Common Name: Western Red Cedar
- Germination Rate: 88%
- Harvest Year: 2024
- Seed Source: Washington, USA
- Stratification: 30–60 days cold stratification recommended
- USDA Zones: 5–8
- Soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates loam and sandy soils
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 100–200 ft tall × 20–40 ft wide
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Packet Sizes: 10, 25, 50, or 100 seeds
Ecological Importance
- Provides nesting habitat for owls, woodpeckers, and songbirds.
- Creates critical cover for deer and small mammals in dense forest understories.
- Stabilizes soil and improves watershed health in riparian zones.
Fun Facts
- Known as the “Tree of Life” by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest for its many uses in shelter, clothing, and tools.
- Some Western Red Cedars in old-growth forests are over 1,000 years old.
- The wood’s natural oils make it highly resistant to rot—ideal for shingles, boats, and outdoor structures.
Evergreen Seed Co. offers high-germination Western Red Cedar seeds harvested from healthy Pacific Northwest stands. Each order includes detailed germination instructions to help you grow this iconic forest giant with confidence.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
