Nootkatensis

Callitropsis nootkatensis, formerly known as Cupressus nootkatensis (syn. Xanthocyparis nootkatensis, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), is a species of tree in the cypress family native to the coastal regions of northwestern North America. This species goes by many common names and is often erroneously referred to as a type of cedar. The common name 'yellow cedar' comes from the colour of its wood, which is pale yellow. The specific epithet "nootkatensis" is derived from its discovery by Europeans on the lands of a First Nation of Canada, the Nuučaan̓uɫ (Nuu-chah-nulth), fifteen related tribes whose traditional home is on the west coast of Vancouver Island, who were formerly referred to as the Nootka. In the Nuučaan̓uɫ language, the tree is known as ʕałmapt.

The Nootka is an evergreen tree growing up to 40 meters (131 ft) tall, exceptionally 60 m (200 ft), with diameters up to 3.4 to 4 m (11 to 13 ft). The bark is thin, smooth and purplish when young, turning flaky and gray as the tree ages. The branches are commonly pendulous, with foliage in flat sprays and dark green scale-leaves measuring 3–5 millimetres (1⁄8–3⁄16 in) long. The cones, maturing biannually, have 4 (occasionally 6) scales; each scale has a pointed triangular bract about 1.5–2 mm long, again similar to other Cupressus and unlike the crescent-shaped, non-pointed bract on the scales of Chamaecyparis cones. The winged seeds are small, thus dispersing at a close range; additionally, only a small percentage is viable.

The drooping branchlets give the tree a graceful weeping appearance. It makes an attractive specimen tree in parks and open spaces and can also be used as a tall hedge. It will grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9, but can be difficult to grow. Best growth is in light or heavy soil, preferably well drained, and in climates with cool summers. It prefers semi-shade to full sun. The tree benefits from annual precipitation exceeding 150 centimetres (59 in), particularly in deep snow though with temperatures not often dropping below −18 °C (0 °F). Snow tends not to break the flexible branches. It is shade tolerant and grows slowly. Anti-fungal chemicals within the tree aid in its longevity. It is rarely afflicted by insects but is susceptible to heart rot.

The species grows in moist areas of coastal mountains of the Pacific Northwest, including those of the Cascades, from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska to the Klamath Mountains in northernmost California. It can be found at elevations higher than those reached by Thuja plicata (western red cedar), sometimes in a krummholz form, and even occupying very rocky sites (near the California-Oregon border). It can be found at elevations of 600 to 750 m (1,970 to 2,460 ft) in Southeast Alaska and between 750 and 2,000 m (2,460 and 6,560 ft) from coastal British Columbia into Oregon.

Nootka trees are very long-lived, with individuals commonly reaching 1000-1500 years old. The Caren Range on the west coast of British Columbia is home to the oldest Nootka specimens in the world, with one specimen found to be 1,834 years old; some specimens may be over 3,000 years old. Isolated groves near Nelson, British Columbia, and John Day, Oregon, may be the descendants of local populations dating to the Last Glacial Period.

Yet the tree's abundance has been declining for many years, although researchers are unsure why. In Alaska, where the tree is primarily referred to as "yellow cedar," extensive research has been conducted into large-scale die-offs of yellow cedar stands. These studies have concluded that the tree has depended upon heavy coastal snowpacks to insulate its shallow roots from cold Arctic winters. The impacts of climate change have resulted in thinner, less-persistent snowpacks, in turn causing increased susceptibility to freeze damage. This mortality has been observed over 7% of the species range, covering approximately 10 degrees of latitude from northern southeast Alaska to southern British Columbia. Substantial future mortality is likely due to warming temperatures and decreasing snowpacks. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is reviewing whether to designate the species as threatened or endangered.

The Nootka is a culturally, economically and environmentally significant species of the Pacific Northwest. Under the common name "yellow cedar," the Nootka has and continues to be used extensively by Indigenous Peoples throughout the region, alongside the western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Nootka wood is durable, fine grained, contains a natural preservative, and does not split as easily as red cedar, making it very suitable for carving. It is also lightweight and pliable, yet strong. While the wood and inner bark of the red cedar was preferred for larger projects like houses and canoes, the stronger inner bark of the Nootka was used for smaller vessels and utensils, including canoe paddles and baskets, as well as thread for clothing and blankets. The inner bark of the Nootka is valued over that of the red cedar because it is more durable. Nootka inner bark is very versatile and could be dyed and used as different types of thread to create mats, clothing, blankets, basketry, fishing nets, ropes, and hats. The bark is also soft and absorbent, and was used for diapers, sanitary napkins, and bedding as well. The Nootka was the only tree's bark used for the core of the warp for Chilkat weaving, due to its strength. Nootka withes, or thin and flexible branches, were used to create strong cords for lashing and ropes. They were a valuable construction tool, and were often used in place nails or bolts. Because of their strength, they were also used to create burden baskets for heavy loads. Nootka roots could be dried and then braided to form cords for weaving hats or basketry. Using specific techniques, root baskets could be made water and heat proof, and could be used as cookware.

Harvesting of trees, branches and bark was typically done from late summer to early spring. This was to avoid the time when the sap was up as it sped the rotting of the tree. A tree could be felled by burning, burning and adzing, or with a hammer, wedge and maul. These tools were also used for carving the wood, in addition to chisels, scrapers, knives, awls, and sandstones.

While carving was typically done by men, the harvesting of bark was performed by women. Bark was cut and pulled as soon as the sap began to run, which varied regionally from late May to July. Straight young trees were chosen, and only a portion was debarked to ensure the tree's survival. On the side with the fewest branches, above the flare of the tree's roots, a woman would make a horizontal cut the width of two fingers. She would make a small vertical cut then on either end of the horizontal cut. She would then use a small wedge to pry the bark away from the trunk enough for her to grip securely. Holding this end of the bark, she would then walk away from the tree slowly, drawing a ribbon of bark off the tree. For the bark quality to prove good for weaving, the strip should run at least twenty feet before narrowing to a point.

Traditionally, Indigenous Peoples made paddles, bows, fishing floats, rattles, ceremonial masks, speaker's staffs, bentwood bowls, totem poles, and longhouses from Nootka wood. Speaker's staffs are status symbols, used as a badge of office for an announcer at events. Bentwood boxes were made by using steam to bend a single plank of red cedar into four sides of a box, and then using yellow cedar pegs to join the corner. These boxes were highly prized and thus were a valuable trade item. They could be used to hold and store goods, or as coffins for the deceased.

Thousands of culturally modified trees with scars from past bark harvesting can now be found along the Pacific Northwest coastline. At the Musqueam site near Vancouver, cedar (either yellow or red) basketry, matting, ropes were found dating to 3000 years ago. At the Pitt River site near Vancouver two carved cedar (either yellow or red) items and baskets were found, dating to approximately 2900 years ago. At the Lachane site in Prince Rupert harbor many cedar (either yellow or red) wooden items and bark baskets were found dating to approximately 2000 years ago. On the east coast of Vancouver island at the Little Qualicum River site cedar (either yellow or red) rope, matting, and a canoe bailer were found dating to approximately 1000 years ago. At the Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site in Washington, the remains of cedar houses were found all dating between 300 and 500 years ago. Various sites around Vancouver have also revealed wood working tools that date from between 5000 and 8000 years ago that may have been intended to be used for cedar (either yellow or red).

The Nootka also had an integral role in the spirituality of coastal First Nations, who believed the the cedar tree has its own life and spirit. As a plant that has ensured the survival of people for thousands of years, cedar has become a powerful symbol of strength and revitalization. Coast Salish and Tlingit shamans often had cedar “spirit assistants” or “guard figures” to protect them.

The Nootka was also widely valued for its healing abilities. Its bark, which has anti-inflammatory properties, was frequently applied as a dressing for wounds, as a tourniquet, or to ward off evil. The Kwakwaka'wakw used the branch tips in two different teas, one on its own to treat insanity, and another with spruce roots to treat kidney ailments. The Nootka was also used with a sweatbath to 'scare away' disease or treat rheumatism.

A Number of taboos are associated with the cedar tree. For example, a person who killed a tree through improper harvesting would be cursed by other cedar trees. Similarly, some believe a pregnant woman should not braid baskets, lest the umbilical cord would twist around the baby’s neck. As the cedar is a long-lived tree, some Coast Salish groups ensured a long life for their infants by placing the afterbirth in the stump of a large cedar.

A legend among the Nuučaan̓uɫ of the Hesquiaht First Nation tells of the origins of the Nootka cypress. In the legend, Raven encounters three young women drying salmon on the beach. Being hungry, and interested in stealing their salmon he asked them if they were afraid of being alone, or of bears, or wolves. He went through a long list of animals, all of which the young women said they were not afraid of until he mentioned owls. When asked about owls, the women confessed they were very afraid of them. Hearing this, Raven hid in the forest, and began mimicking owl calls. The terrified women ran up into the mountains. When they were halfway up a mountain and could run no more, they turned into yellow cedar trees. According to the Nuučaan̓uɫ, this is said to be why cedars are beautiful, growing silky bark like a woman's hair, graceful limbs, and why their young trunks are smooth to touch. This is also why they grow high on the slopes of Vancouver Island.

In Tlingit culture the story of Natsilane describes how a Nootka cypress was used to carve the world's first killer whale. Natsilane was a great hunter and carver. He also hunted with respect for the sea lions he killed. But his older brothers-in-law were jealous of his talents. One day they had paddled far out to a sea lion rock to hunt. Natsilane speared a sea lion but it dove into the water breaking off the spear tip. When he looked back to the canoe, his older brothers-in-law were paddling away, against the protests of his youngest brother-in-law. Natsilane, in despair, went to sleep on the rock, and was woken by the chief of the sea lions. He was brought to live in their village beneath the sea. It turned out that he had speared the sea lion chief's son, so Natsilane saved the boy by removing the spearhead from his side. In thanks, the sea lions sent him home in an inflated sealskin bladder. Once home, he visited his wife in secret and had her bring him his carving tools. He set about carving a killer whale, an animal that had yet to exist. First he tried spruce, but that sank when he placed it in a tide pool. Next, he tried hemlock, which also sank. He then tried red cedar, which circled, but then also came to rest on the bottom of the pool. Finally, he tried yellow cedar, his best carving yet. This jumped from the tide pool out to sea. He called the first killer whale back to him and told it to kill his older brothers-in-law when they next went in their canoe to hunt, but to save the youngest brother-in-law. The killer whale capsized the canoe, drowning the older brothers-in-law but brought the youngest back to shore on its back. When the killer whale returned, Natsilane instructed the whale to never again harm humans.

On the contemporary global market, the Nootka is considered to be one of the finest timber trees in the world and has been exported to China throughout the last century. It can also be used in bonsai. The wood's physical properties make it an attractive material for carpentry. Nootka wood is durable and hard due to its slow growth. It offers good dimensional stability and is resistant to weather, insects, and contact with soil. It works easily with hand or machine tools, turning and carving quite well. It can be fastened with glues, screws, and nails. The Nootka's texture, uniform colour, and straight grain will take a fine finish. It resists splintering and wears smoothly over time. When fresh cut it has a somewhat unpleasant bitter scent, but when seasoned it has barely any discernible odour, hence its traditional use in face masks. Typical modern uses include exterior siding, shingles, decking, exposed beams, glue-laminated beams, panelling, cabinetry, shipbuilding and mill work. Other uses for Nootka cypress include saunas, and battery containers due to its resistance to acids. The tree has extreme heartwood qualities that make it one of the most desired sources of firewood on the West Coast. It burns very hot and lasts a long time as embers. A tree can still be used for firewood up to 100 years after its death.

The Nootka is one of the parents of the hybrid Leyland cypress; the other parent, Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), was also considered to be in the genus Cupressus, but in the North American Hesperocyparis clade, which has generally been found to be phylogenetically closer to C. nootkatensis than the Old World clade Cupressus sensu stricto.