[Wikipedia] Indigenous People Uses: Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest use the wood of this species for many purposes, such as building canoes, totem poles, and tools. The bark is harvested by indigenous peoples and processed into a fiber, which they use to make items such as rope, baskets, clothing, and rain hats. Because of its wide range of uses, the species is of great cultural importance to these people. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Etymology: The species name plicata derives from the Latin word plicare and means 'folded in plaits' or 'braided,' a reference to the pattern of its small leaves. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[srs.fs.usda.gov] Range: Western redcedar grows along the Pacific coast from Humboldt County, CA (lat. 40° 10' N.), to the northern and western shores of Sumner Strait in southeastern Alaska (lat. 56° 30' N.). In California, it is common only in the lower Mad River drainage and the wet region south of Ferndale in Humboldt County; it is found elsewhere only in isolated stands in boggy habitats (19). North of the California-Oregon border, the coastal range broadens to include the western slopes of the Cascade Range north of Crater Lake and the eastern slopes north of about latitude 44° 30' N. (12). Optimal growth and development of western redcedar are achieved near the latitudinal center of its range- Washington's Olympic Peninsula. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)