| The Tree of Life - Western Red Cedar (Thuya | | | | Red Cedar is most abundant in the Bitterroot |
| plicata) is a major species which flourishes in | | | | Mountains, the Mission Mountains and in the |
| northwestern Montana and because of its exceptional | | | | Seely-Swan area of the state. A day spent amongst |
| durability has become known as arbour-vitae 'The | | | | the cedars is a delightful and memorable experience. |
| Tree of Life'. Of Montana's total land area (93 million | | | | Western Red Cedar is one of the most important |
| acres), 17 coniferous tree species cover about 22.5 | | | | trees of the Pacific Northwest. Western Red Cedar |
| million acres. Of these 17 species, the Western Red | | | | grows from the coastal regions of southern Alaska |
| Cedar stands out as the largest, oldest and perhaps | | | | south through the coastal ranges of British Columbia |
| the best of the many trees that grace Montana. | | | | through western Washington and Oregon to |
| During winter in the high country of the Bitterroot | | | | California. In British Columbia, the species grows east |
| Mountains, many feet of heavy snow blanket the | | | | to the western slope of the Continental Divide and |
| land in white silence. Snow accumulations often | | | | thence south into the Selkirk and Bitterroot |
| exceed 20 feet. In years of heavy snow seasons, | | | | Mountains of Idaho and Montana. |
| the spring melt is impressive. Creeks and streams are | | | | Despite its name, the Western Red Cedar is not a |
| rapidly moving torrents that often undermine the | | | | cedar at all and the name pertains to the western |
| roots and sometimes topple the giant forest trees. | | | | distribution and cedar-like appearance. Western Red |
| Western Red Cedars grow on hillsides in moist areas | | | | Cedar tree is actually a member of the Cypress |
| beside streams so are most often affected by high | | | | family. When Western Red Cedar is approximately |
| water run off. | | | | 250 years old it is about 100 to 175 feet tall and up |
| In summer, huge cedar columns rise majestically out | | | | to 8 feet in diameter. Western Red Cedar can live to |
| of a dense mat of lady fern. The dense canopy of | | | | more than 1000 years. |
| trees allows filtered sunlight to penetrate the | | | | The leaves are small, overlapping scale-like that form |
| shadows, sweet, cool and moist, the air is as fresh | | | | sprays in opposite patterns; dark green in color. The |
| as after a morning rain shower. In Montana Western | | | | Western Red Cedar produces 3/4 |