Alaska Cedar
Callitropsis nootkatensis
Alaska cedar's drooping, weeping branches and stringy bark give it an almost mournful silhouette against high mountain slopes. Its dense, rot-resistant wood — pale yellow and famously stable — is prized for boatbuilding, totem poles, and canoe paddles.
Where found
High-elevation subalpine slopes and coastal mountains from the Cascades north through coastal British Columbia and Alaska.
Fun facts
- Also called yellow-cedar for its pale yellow, fine-grained wood.
- Extremely slow growing; some trees exceed 1,000 years old.
- Widespread dieback tied to shifting snowpack and warming winters has been documented across parts of its range in recent decades.
Specs
| Height | 20–40 m |
|---|---|
| Spread | 5–8 m |
| Lifespan | 1,000+ yrs |
| Growth Rate | Very slow |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Native Range | Southern Alaska to southern Oregon, mostly at higher elevations |
