Cupressaceae Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don

Western Redcedar

Hesquiat - Fiber, Cordage

Use documented by:
Turner, Nancy J. and Barbara S. Efrat, 1982, Ethnobotany of the Hesquiat Indians of Vancouver Island, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 35

View all documented uses for Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don

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Scientific name: Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don
USDA symbol: THPL (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Western Redcedar
Family: Cupressaceae
Family (APG): Cupressaceae
Native American Tribe: Hesquiat
Use category: Fiber
Use sub-category: Cordage
Notes: Very long, straight branches or withes used to make ropes. For large ropes, such as those used in whaling, the entire branch would be used. For smaller ropes, the withes were split off into three parts: the heartwood would be removed and the outer part twisted into rope. Branches used for such ropes would be five to eight cm. in diameter. Hesquiat cedar ropes were quite famous and were often traded to other tribes. The large ropes were used long ago as whale-hunting lines, anchor lines, and binding lines for tying on house planks or tying together one's effects when moving.

RECRD: 521 id: 40014

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