Northern White Cedar
June 10, 2001

Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a common tree in the Woodland Dunes acres, growing in both upland woods and swamp edges. It is the historical remnants of the species that tell an intriguing story of the past.

In the center of the woods, off the usual trails, there are a number of large cedar stumps. Anyone interested in viewing them should call Woodland Dunes and a naturalist will arrange a tour.

According to historical records, in about the mid eighteen hundreds the making of shingles and other wood products was the most profitable industry in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. It is told that pioneer farmers would cut pine and cedar trees into logs and haul them in primitive wagons or sleighs, pulled by oxen, to shanties along the river banks. Here they were cut into "bolts" and rafted to the shingle mills in the village. These wood products would be taken by small boats and transferred to lake ships. These vessels, which had brought bricks made in places like Milwaukee, in return, carried the wood products to other destinations.

Another interesting observation relating to white cedar trees was made along the Cattail Trail extending into the marsh at the Marsh Haus headquarters, where it joins the river. The size and depth of both river and marsh are regulated by the rise and fall of Lake Michigan.

Slices were cut from the remains of ancient dead trees found along the trail. A count of the growth rings showed they had reached an age of 33 years. This indicates that the Lake level was then low enough to allow the cedars to flourish for that length of time. A chapter in the story of the rise and fall of the Great Lakes, can be conjectured.

"Cedar" is a name applied to various unrelated conifers. The Northern White Cedars grow in both swamps and also uplands. It is thought, however, that even though looking alike they may be genetically different.

The wood is soft, light colored and very durable. Cedar logs that had been preserved from decay by being buried in a sphagnum bog for many decades were used in the building of PT boats during World War II. It is one of the best woods for shingles, and widely used for fence posts and telegraph poles.

The list of medicinal uses, past and present is long. The American Indians used the leaves, inner bark and leaf oil for a wide variety of ailments. Experimentally, it is found that the oil has antiseptic properties but the reference also warns that it can cause convulsions and may even be fatal.

Arbor Vitae is another name for the white cedar, a latinized French name meaning tree-of-life because it cured the men of Jacques Cartier's expedition of a disease.

Because shallow-rooted cedars often become uprooted and the branches that touch the ground sprout into new trees, and that this can occur generation after generation, one author states that this undying quality also alludes to the French name.

The small seeds in the cones are relished by redpolls and pine siskins. White-tailed deer are noted for relishing the foliage.