Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don Western Red Cedar or Giant Arbor-vitae Native to western N. America where it is an important timber tree. Grown in Europe for timber, shelter, in gardens and often as hedging. Height to 40m (135ft) or more. Flowers open in March, males dark red, pale yellow when shedding pollen, females yellowish green, both about 0.1cm (1/20in) long. Cones are about 1.2cm (½in) long with 10-12 scales, ripening from yellowish green to brown and opening slightly to release winged seeds. Leaves are dark and glossy above and paler beneath with some light whitish marks. They emit a strong fruity smell even without being crushed. Zone 6