The northern white cedar, also known as eastern white cedar, or arborvitae, has the botanical name thuja occidentalis. It is an evergreen coniferous tree and belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae.
The tree is native to eastern Canada and much of the north-central and northeastern United States. And it has important uses in traditional Ojibwe culture.
The northern white cedar grows naturally in moist forests, mostly in coniferous swamps. Where other larger, faster growing trees cannot compete.
The tree can be a very long-lived tree under certain conditions. For example, old specimens growing on cliffs that have not been touched by deer or other wildlife.
The specimen found growing on the face of a cliff in southern Ontario is the oldest tree in all of eastern North America and Canada. Its age is estimated to have reached over 1,653 years.
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