Thuja plicata, also known as Western Red Cedar, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to western North America. It can live for well over a thousand years, making it a long-lived species. It is also the Provincial tree of British Columbia. The leaves have been used in the treatment of colds, and the inner bark has been used for making baskets. Thuja plicata can be used as a hedge or as part of a shelterbelt. The wood has a distinct appearance and aroma and is highly resistant to decay, making it ideal for outdoor construction such as posts, decking, shingles, and siding. Thuja plicata is also grown as an ornamental tree and for screens and hedges in gardens and parks worldwide. Its extensive history of use by Native Americans includes constructing housing, totem poles, and ceremonial objects, as well as crafting many other objects such as masks, utensils, canoes, and vessels. Thuja plicata played a significant role in indigenous societies as a source of basic materials.