Western red cedar trees and shrubs are pyramidal in form. The trees may grow up to 200 feet tall and 20 feet in circumference, measured above the strongly buttressed base. The cinnamon-red or brownish outer bark is relatively thin, fissured, and scaly, shedding in irregular flakes; the inner bark is fibrous. Short, horizontal, or slightly drooping branches bear dense branchlet systems in flattened sprays that appear bright green on the upper side and dark waxy green beneath. The tiny, pointed, scale-like leaves may have faint whitish patches on the undersurfaces. The egg-shaped or slightly elongated cones, 8 to 12 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inch) long, bear five to six pairs of thin flexible scales. Description from Britannica
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Protecting the trees and other vegetation that what we currently have is perhaps the most important way to ensure biodiversity in cities.

Gardeners can check out seeds for free from the library to plant. Then after harvest, gardeners bring seeds back to the library for others to enjoy in future growing seasons.

Do you want to plant a tree, create butterfly habitat, or start a vegetable garden but don’t have a yard? Learn how planting strips are a great place to start your own garden!

Start a garden in a planting strip along the street. Explore our interactive corridor map, find what to grow, and start nurturing today.

Get involved by sharing and mapping the birds, animals and nature around you to help the community understand the biodiversity in our neighborhood.

The plants, animals, fungi, microbes, and other natural features that make up “urban habitat” are important to the character, function, and livability of cities.
Nature of Your Neighborhood is a collaboration between Birds Connect Seattle, the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict, and the Seattle Bird Conservation Partnership. Our goal is to foster relationships between the people and the nature of their neighborhoods.