Western Red Cedar Cone Identification (Guide)
Western redcedar cones are small, woody, oblong structures, usually about 10–18 mm long. Look for roughly 8–12 thin scales in opposite pairs, with each cone sitting alone at a branchlet tip. Confirm the match by checking the tree’s flattened sprays of scale-like leaves. Cone color or scent alone cannot identify the species.
A small brown cone on a branch can look like a clear clue. But several conifers make small cones, and a young western redcedar cone may still be green and tightly closed. If you rely on color, scent, or one loose cone, you may mistake a useful clue for proof.
I identify cones by checking several features together. The steps below help you examine a specimen, compare it with nearby foliage, and record enough detail to check your conclusion later. This guide concerns botanical identification, not pruning or cutting. Chainsaw settings and cutting techniques do not apply.
Specimen Setup and Field Safety
A sound field check starts with a specimen you can examine without harming the tree. Choose an accessible branchlet, inspect more than one cone when possible, and note where the material came from. A hand lens, ruler, phone camera, and written location notes can make your observations easier to confirm.
Before you begin, look for cones that remain attached to the branchlet. A loose cone may be worth examining, but it has lost its position on the tree, an important identification clue. Avoid pulling cones or foliage from a tree when an attached specimen can be inspected in place.
What to bring
- A hand lens, if available, to see the thin scales and their arrangement.
- A ruler marked in millimetres, or a photo scale card, to judge cone length.
- A phone or camera for an attached view and a close-up.
- A notebook or digital record for location, date, and observations.
A hand lens is useful but not essential. Good light and a steady close-up photo can reveal the main features. If you collect a fallen specimen, keep it with any photographs and label its location and date. Do not assume a cone found beneath a tree came from that tree; wind, animals, or movement of plant material can make its source uncertain.
As an arborist, I have found that the most useful field notes pair a close-up with a wider image. The close-up shows scales and size; the wider image shows the branchlet and foliage. When a specimen is incomplete or mixed with material from nearby trees, those context clues can prevent a confident-looking but weak identification.
Cone and Foliage Identification
Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae; its common name does not make it a true cedar in the genus Cedrus. Its cones are small, woody, and oblong. Identify them by combining size, scale pattern, position, and the foliage on the same branchlet rather than relying on a single trait.
1. Check cone size and shape. A typical western redcedar cone is about 10–18 mm long, or roughly 1–1.8 cm. It is oblong, not a large, round cone. Length is a useful check, not a stand-alone test: a young cone may not yet have reached its full size, and measuring a curved or damaged cone can be imprecise.
2. Examine the scales. Look for roughly 8–12 thin scales arranged in opposite pairs. The scales form the cone’s outer structure. On a mature cone, they can open as it dries, releasing small, winged seeds. A hand lens can help you see the scale layout, especially on a small or partly open cone.
3. Check where it grows. Western redcedar cones occur singly at branchlet tips. This position matters: note whether the cone is attached at the end of a small leafy branch, rather than simply lying near a tree. If several cones are available, compare their position and features instead of basing the decision on one.
4. Confirm with foliage. The foliage forms flattened sprays of small, scale-like leaves. Gently crushing a tiny piece of foliage may release an aromatic scent, but scent varies with the specimen and the observer. Do not damage foliage unnecessarily, and do not treat scent as proof. The flattened sprays and cone features should agree.
A brown cone is not automatically mature, and a green cone is not automatically from another species. Color changes as cones develop and dry, while immature cones may be tightly closed and poorly formed. In that early stage, scale counts and shape are less reliable. Wait for better-developed material or check other diagnostic features.
Comparison, Documentation, and Verification
Comparison means testing each observation against the expected features, not choosing the closest-looking cone from memory. Record size, shape, scale arrangement, branchlet position, and foliage together. A photo with a scale reference and notes on location and date lets you review the evidence or ask a regional flora or qualified botanist for help.
| Observation | Fits western redcedar | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Cone length | About 10–18 mm | Measure more than one if available |
| Shape | Small and oblong | Check whether it is immature or damaged |
| Scales | Roughly 8–12 thin scales in opposite pairs | Use a hand lens; closed cones can hide the pattern |
| Position | Single cone at a branchlet tip | Photograph the attachment point |
| Foliage | Flattened sprays of scale-like leaves | Confirm on the same branchlet or tree |
| Color or scent alone | Not enough to confirm | Compare the full set of features |
A practical comparison with other conifers
| Specimen or condition | Useful distinction | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Western redcedar | Small oblong cone, opposite-paired scales, flattened sprays | Confirm several traits together |
| Immature western redcedar cone | May be green and tightly closed | Scale count and shape may be hard to judge |
| Juniper “berry” | Often fleshy rather than a dry, woody cone | Some junipers have different cone forms; use foliage too |
| Douglas-fir cone | Larger hanging cone with prominent three-pointed bracts | Compare the whole cone and its branch, not color alone |
| Loose or weathered cone | May retain some scale features | Its position and source may be unknown |
These comparisons help narrow the possibilities; they are not a complete regional identification key. Local conifers vary, and old, broken, or immature specimens may lack clear features. If a name matters for a survey, conservation decision, or plant record, verify it with a regional flora, herbarium resource, or qualified botanist.
Field sequence: survey, compare, confirm, document
- Survey: Inspect several cones if possible, with a hand lens. Look at nearby foliage on the same branch or tree.
- Compare: Check the 10–18 mm size range, oblong shape, opposite scale arrangement, and single terminal position.
- Confirm: Verify flattened sprays of scale-like leaves and the overall branchlet form. Use a regional flora or qualified botanist if evidence is incomplete or uncertain.
- Document: Take one photograph showing the cone attached to its branchlet and one close-up. Include a ruler or other scale reference, and record the location and collection date.
Field scenarios: how the steps help
In one common field situation, a person finds a brown cone beneath a mature evergreen and assumes it came from the tree overhead. The cone may fit the expected size, but without an attached branchlet its source is uncertain. Photographing foliage from the tree above can support a comparison, but does not prove the fallen cone came from it.
In another, an attached green cone has a compact shape and scales that are hard to count. Treating it as an uncertain, immature specimen is more reliable than forcing a species-level identification. I would record the foliage and branchlet form, then revisit the tree when more developed cones are available or seek expert review.
Specimen Handling and Seasonal Timing
Cones change as they develop, so timing affects how easy they are to identify. Immature cones may be green, closed, or poorly developed; mature cones turn brown and dry, and their scales open to release winged seeds. The exact timing can vary by location and season, so inspect the specimen rather than relying on a fixed calendar date.
| Cone condition | Likely appearance | Identification value |
|---|---|---|
| Immature | Often green, tight, and less clearly formed | Limited; confirm with foliage and other features |
| Developing | Shape and scales becoming easier to see | Compare size, position, and branchlet traits |
| Mature and dry | Brown, woody, scales may open | Often easier to inspect; color still is not proof |
| Old or damaged | Broken, weathered, or missing scales | Treat cautiously; seek better material if possible |
For a field visit, check trees during more than one part of the growing season if the first sample is immature. There is no need to remove cones to watch them change; photographs of the same tree or marked observation points can show development over time. If you collect a permitted fallen specimen, store it dry and label it clearly.
Avoid mixing specimens from different trees in one bag or photo set. Include the date and location, and keep each cone linked to its branchlet images. If you share photographs, include the whole foliage spray as well as the cone. A close crop without context can hide the most useful clue.
Conclusion: Make a Layered Identification
A reliable identification comes from several traits that agree, not from a single striking clue. Check the cone’s size, oblong form, opposite-paired scales, and position at a branchlet tip. Then confirm the flattened scale-leaf sprays and record what you saw so the result can be reviewed.
If the cone is green, closed, damaged, or detached, lower your confidence. Take clear photographs, note the location and date, and consult a regional flora or qualified botanist when the features remain unclear. Careful uncertainty is better than a confident guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers summarize the main field checks and common limits. Use them as a quick reference, not as a substitute for examining foliage and cone position. When a specimen is incomplete or its identity has important consequences, compare it with a regional key or ask a qualified botanist.
How big are western redcedar cones?
They are typically about 10–18 mm long, or roughly 1–1.8 cm.
What shape is a western redcedar cone?
It is small, woody, and oblong. Shape alone does not confirm the species.
How many scales does the cone have?
It has roughly 8–12 thin scales arranged in opposite pairs. Counts may be difficult on immature or damaged cones.
Where do the cones grow?
They occur singly at branchlet tips. An attached cone is more useful than one found loose on the ground.
Are western redcedar cones green or brown?
They are green when immature and become brown as they mature and dry. Color alone is not enough to identify them.
Do mature cones release seeds?
Yes. Mature scales open and release small, winged seeds.
Can scent confirm western redcedar?
No. Gently crushed foliage may have an aromatic scent, but scent is only a supporting clue. Confirm with cone and foliage features.
Can I identify the tree from one cone?
One cone is not enough for a reliable identification, especially if it is immature or detached. Check nearby foliage and, if possible, several cones.
What foliage should I look for?
Look for flattened sprays of small, scale-like leaves on the same branchlet or tree as the cone.
What should I photograph?
Photograph the cone attached to its branchlet, a close-up with a ruler or scale reference, and the surrounding foliage. Record the location and date.
When are western redcedar cones easiest to identify?
Mature, dry cones are often easier to inspect because their scales are more visible. Timing varies by location, so assess the specimen’s condition rather than relying on a fixed date.
What if the specimen is incomplete or confusing?
Do not force a decision. Record what you can, then compare it with a regional flora or ask a qualified botanist to review the specimen and photographs.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Pierce. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
