Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, valuable arborvitae tree native to the northwestern United States: "Canoe cedar" is a common name for a specific species of coniferous tree, scientifically known as Thuja plicata. It is valued for its durable, rot-resistant wood, which was historically used by Indigenous peoples to make canoes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old-growth forest was dominated by towering canoe cedars.
  • The wood from the canoe cedar is perfect for outdoor construction.
  • They identified the tree as a canoe cedar by its scale-like leaves and reddish bark.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can be used attributively to describe objects made from the tree's wood.
  • The artisan crafted a beautiful canoe cedar box.
  • They built a fence from canoe cedar planks.

Variants and Related Words

• Western red cedar: This is the most common alternative name for the same tree species ().
• Arborvitae: The genus name, often used for related ornamental trees.
• Giant arborvitae: Another name emphasizing the tree's large size.

Synonyms

• Western red cedar
• Pacific red cedar
• Giant arborvitae
• (scientific name)

Related Phrases

• Cedar wood: A general term for wood from trees in the cedar family, which may include canoe cedar.
• Rot-resistant wood: A key property of canoe cedar wood.

Notes

• The name "canoe cedar" is historical and descriptive, directly referencing one of its traditional uses. It is not typically used in modern commercial timber classification, where "western red cedar" is standard.
• This term refers specifically to the tree species and not to a type of canoe. A "cedar canoe" would be a canoe made from this wood.

Noun

1. large valuable arborvitae of northwestern United States