White Cedar Transplants

Although Thuja occidentalis do just fine in upland areas, this species also does well in wetter lowland areas such as slightly swampy areas, stream banks and lake shores, where the soil is dark and rich. White Cedar is also quite shade tolerant (especially when young), but does well in full sun. It is relatively resistant to insect pests, and its timber is used for poles, shakes and shingles due to it’s natural resistance to rot.

Thuja occidentalis is actually a species of cypress and closely related to Western Red Cedar, but after hundreds of years the odd cedar naming convention has stuck fast. Tea made from the leaves of White Cedar, high in vitamin C, were known by Native Americans to cure scurvy. There are a myriad of other non-woodworking uses also listed on Wikipedia. Not recommended for prolonged ingestion, which can prove toxic. Best to stick to use as lumber for log cabins, furniture, natural wood shingles, etc.

White Cedar often turn a leathery brown, reddish or even purple color due to winter exposure, and to the untrained eye one might conclude that they are damaged or dying. However, this color change is quite normal, and the trees will green up quickly in the warmer weather of Spring.

White Cedar transplants: characteristics and info

• prefers hardiness zones 3-9
• prefers full sun to partial shade
• mature height and spread: up to 40 ft high, 15-20 ft spread
• prefers dark loamy soils, damp locations, does well in a wide range of soils
• Boreal Forests Of The World info on Thuja occidentalis
• White Cedar Sizes and Availability:
--- White Cedar plug seedlings [sold out till Spring 2025]
• Comparable alternative species: Eastern Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar. Confused about species? Check out our Evergreen Tree Buyers Guide

White Cedar transplants are discontinued, see White Cedar plug seedlings