Giant Thuja - Sintra, Portugal
Posted by: 
RuiJSDuarte
N 38° 47.161 W 009° 23.595
29S E 465845 N 4293104
This Giant Thuja (Western Cedar) is a magnificent example dating back to the nineteen century, of the Thuja Plicata from the Western North America Region.
Waymark Code: WMDBCH
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Date Posted: 12/19/2011
Views: 10
It was brought to Sintra along with plants from all over the world by D. Fernando II when he decided to recreate the Pena Park, starting in 1839, which is considered World Heritage by UNESCO since 1995.
The Thuja Plicata on the Pena Park is about 35 meters high and has a diameter of 1.75 meters. Other Thujas have reached a height of 65 meters, a diameter of 3-4 meters.
Western Redcedar has an extensive history of use by the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Coast, from Oregon(Canada) to southeast Alaska(USA). Some northwest coast tribes refer to themselves as "people of the redcedar" because of their extensive dependence on the tree for basic materials. The wood has been used for constructing housing, totem poles, and crafted into many objects, including masks, utensils, boxes, boards, instruments, canoes, vessels, and ceremonial objects. Roots and bark were used for baskets, ropes, clothing, blankets and rings. In our days its light weight, strength and dark warm sound make it a popular choice for guitar soundboards.
Information taken from the Cache´s page (http://coord.info/GC2KQDH) and the same can be read in the plaques around the Tree.
Historic Event:
Brought to Sintra by D. Fernando II, King of Portugal
Year: 1839
Species: Giant Thuja
Approximate Age: 170
Location: Sintra
Website: Not listed
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