(Thuja plicata D. Don ex Lamb.)
Habitus
- a massive tree that grows up to 60 m high in its homeland
- the crown is massive, conical, deeply branched
- cinnamon-brown bark, peels off in long, rather thick strips
Leaves (assimilation organs)
- assimilation organs (leaves) scaly in opposite pairs
- on the main shoot they are 8 - 10 mm long, they deviate from the shoot with the tip, under the tip they have a small prominent raised gland
- on the side shoots there are leaves 2 - 3 mm long, almost without a gland
- the upper side is dark green, shiny
- the lower side is yellow-green with a striking silvery pattern
- after crushing it is distinctly pleasantly aromatic
Flowers
- monoecious wood, flowers of different sexes
- ♂ cones are about 2 mm large, spherical, yellow-brown,they grow at the end of the shoots
- ♀ cones are 2 - 3 mm large, spherical, green, straight, they grow at the end of the shoots
- it flowers IV – V
Fruits – seeds
- the fruit is a cone 10-15 mm large on a short stalk, oblong-ovoid, composed of 5-6 pairs of leathery scales
- the seed is small, 3-5 x 1.5-2 mm large, elliptical, compressed, narrow, winged on both sides, the wing is cut out at the top
Extension
- originally in the western part of the North American continent on the coast of the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to California from 1,500-2,100 m above the sea leve
- in its optimal distribution it grows up to a height of 60 m (massive tree)
- it forms extensive homogeneous but also mixed stands with Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Sitkan spruce (Picea sitchensis), multi-leaved hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and in the mountains also with fir (Abies concolor)
- in the territory of Slovakia, it is found only as cultivated species
Ecology
- Undemanding to the ecological quality of the soil
- the wood grows better on moist soils
- tolerates shading and is only slightly damaged by stronger frosts
Significance
- decorative tree in parks (and cemeteries)
- when it grows as a solitaire, the massiveness of its crown stands out
- there are different height and color forms
- in the homeland it provides high-quality wood for various purposes (building houses, ships, ...)
