American Elm vs Western Red Cedar - TreeTime.ca

American Elm vs Western Red Cedar

Ulmus americana

Thuja plicata

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

American Elm
Western Red Cedar

American Elm is fast growing, tall tree with a recognizable and pleasing shape.

It's well suited for urban environments because of its non-invasive roots and ability to grow on harsh sites (quite salt tolerant). American Elm develops a wide, dense canopy that provides shade for many city streets around North America.

Western Red Cedar is native to the Pacific Northwest, and is the largest tree in the cypress family. Featuring horizontal branching with scale-like dark green foliage that has a strong aroma. The wood is naturally durable and light, and is resistant to decay and insects, making it sought after for house siding, paneling, furniture, and fences. This is British Columbia's official tree.

American Elm Quick Facts

Western Red Cedar Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5a
Height: 30 m (98 ft)
Height: 45 m (150 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: shade, partial shade
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: very long
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Fall colour: bright yellow
Seeds: samara
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: water elm, whilte elm
Other Names: giant cedar, pacific red cedar