Western Redcedar

About Western Redcedar in Alberta

Western Redcedar is a rare native Alberta conifer at the eastern edge of a mostly Pacific and interior wet-belt range. In Alberta it is S2/G5, ACIMS-tracked, disjunct, mostly tied to moist montane forests and national-park or adjacent mountain contexts, and vulnerable to drought at its range margin. For ARA, wild Western Redcedar records are high-value edge-population records, while planted "cedar" or arborvitae records must be handled separately and identified carefully.

Identification: Leaves are scale-like and arranged in flattened sprays. The upper surface is glossy green, while the underside may show whitish or silvery markings. Juvenile or larger branchlets may carry more awl-like leaves.

Alberta range and habitat: Western Redcedar is rare and disjunct in Alberta. Most records are associated with Crowsnest, Rocky Mountain national parks, adjacent moist montane forests, and scattered mountain occurrences.