Cedar Sanctuary Project

The Western Red Cedar Tree

Western Red Cedar trees are large evergreen coniferous trees that are native to the Pacific Northwest region. They are the largest trees in the Pacific Northwest and can grow as big as 19 feet in diameter and 500 meters in volume. These trees can live to be over 1,500 years old.

A Cultural Keystone Species

Western Red Cedar trees are a fundamental component of Northwest culture and are a cultural keystone species. Cedars are one of the most important trees to Native People throughout the Pacific Northwest. These trees play an important role spiritually, medicinally and culturally throughout many different tribes throughout the region. Cedars have been used for housing, canoes, medicines, for prayer work and setting sacred intentions. Protocols for gathering during the correct season, methods for gathering, and ways to honor the tree are still practiced.

While cedar trees continue to serve as an important species for tribes throughout the region, many Native People do not have access to cedar trees on tribal lands. As a result, they may rely on state and federal land partnerships.

Threats to the Western Red Cedar

Logging and dieback pose the biggest threat to Western Red Cedar trees. Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) logs mature cedar groves, which are often found in legacy forests, at a rapid rate.

As an example, the “Power Plant” timber sale in the Elwha Watershed contains mature, culturally modified cedars. While Earth Law Center and the Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition successfully stopped the sale, and permanently protected over half the acreage, the remaining forest, including mature cedar groves, is still at risk of being logged.

Dieback is also increasing, with cedars showing signs of thinning, yellowing, and dying at the top. Some forest specialists believe dieback is abiotic.

Washington State University is studying Western Red Cedar dieback and has launched a community scientist initiative called the Forest Health Watch. Even the DNR is conducting studies to better understand risks to cedar and optimal growing conditions.

This image shows a culturally modified tree in Power Plant, which is from traditional cultural resource use of cedar, the indigenous practice of cedar stripping. The tape indicates it will not be cut, but it will become a vulnerable and stand-alone tree after harvest. Photo credit: @Forest2sea

Cedar Tree Sanctuaries

We are asking DNR to work with us to protect the last remaining Western Red Cedar groves on state forest land.

We are calling for the creation of a network of Cedar Tree Sanctuaries. The sanctuaries will honor the deep connection between cedars and the people who have stewarded this land from time immemorial and will exemplify how humans and Nature can thrive together if in a reciprocal relationship.

We are working with partners to map cedar groves, to document their loss, and to build a coalition of Cedar Tree Sanctuary supporters, particularly among the Coast Salish peoples, environmental organizations, and influencers.