The Western Red Cedar tree or the Thuja Plicata is British Columbia’s official tree. It can grow up to 60 meters in height and the trunk gets wider near the base. The bark is grey in colour and is stringy in texture. The bark begins to peel of as the tree grows older. The Western Red Cedar’s leaves are scale-like, hence the name Plicata which is derived from the Greek word meaning “folded in plaits.” This tree, if the right conditions are met, can live for over 1000 years and because the its wood is decay and insect resistant it can remain intact for 100 years after death. This tree has many uses and was entitled “the cornerstone of Northwestern aboriginal culture.” It has great spiritual influence and all the parts of the tree were used by the coastal people. It was used to make canoes, house planks, bentwood boxes, clothing and tools (arrow shafts, masks and paddles). It was also an ingredient in medicine. The long arching branches were used to weave baskets and were used in the making of ropes. It was used in so many ways to its natural durability and light weight. This tree was also sometimes called the Latin words for “Tree of Life”(arbor vitae).