White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

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  1.   1.  Description
    1.   1.1  Obtainment
    2.   1.2  Uses
  2.   2.  More
  3.   3.  'Souls
Common Name White Cedar
Latin Name Thuja occidentalis
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1.  Description

This evergreen coniferous tree is not related to the Cedrus genus. A small tree, growing to a height of 10–20 metres (33–66 ft). The tree is often stunted or prostrate. The furrowed bark is red-brown, and peels in narrow strips. It prefers wet forests, being particularly abundant in coniferous swamps where other larger and faster-growing trees cannot compete successfully.

1.1  Obtainment

It is common, though not found throughout Nova Scotia -- Northern Tides territories are most likely to contain this tree.

1.2  Uses

  • Northern white cedar is commercially used for rustic fencing and posts, lumber, poles, shingles and in the construction of log cabins,[6] White cedar is the preferred wood for the structural elements, such as ribs and planking, of birchbark canoes and the planking of wooden canoes.
  • The essential oil within the plant has been used for cleansers, disinfectants, hair preparations, insecticides, liniment, room sprays, and soft soaps. There are some reports that the Ojibwa made a soup from the inner bark of the soft twigs. Others have used the twigs to make teas to relieve constipation and headache.
  • In the 19th century Thuja was in common use as an externally applied tincture or ointment for the treatment of warts, ringworm and thrush.

2.  More

3.  'Souls

  • Something!


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