Giant Cedar

“Giant Cedar is a large tree native to North America.

It can reach heights of around 70 meters or 230 feet and live for over 1000 years. One of the oldest specimen was 1460 years old.

Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast (Kakawaka’wakw) believed the power of this tree was so strong that a person could receive strength by standing with his or her back to the tree. It was called the ‘tree of life’ and was used by them for a variety of ailments. It continues to be held with high respect by all northwest coast peoples for its healing and spiritual powers.

Oil from its leaves is used in the making of perfumes, insecticides, traditional medicine, shoe polishes and deodorants.

It is a planted today in gardens for ornamental purposes. Other names include western cedar, pacific redcedar and shinglewood.”