western redcedar
western redcedar Lexical Profile
• noun
North American The lightweight, aromatic, and highly durable wood of this tree, valued for its natural resistance to decay and insect damage.
"The contractor recommended finishing the exterior of the house with Western redcedar shingles because they withstand harsh weather gracefully."
North American A large evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family, native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, featuring scale-like leaves and reddish, fibrous bark.
"The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest historically carved monumental totem poles from the trunks of the Western redcedar."
Word Nuance & Usage
The compound spelling 'redcedar' is intentionally used by botanists to indicate that it is not a true cedar (genus Cedrus), but rather a distinct species within the cypress family.
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for its native geographic range in western North America and the reddish-brown color of its highly aromatic wood.