BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Callitropsis nootkatensis
yellow-cedar
| Scientific Name: | Callitropsis nootkatensis |
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| Scientific Name Synonyms: |
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
Xanthocyparis nootkatensis |
| English Name: | yellow-cedar |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S4 |
| Date Status Assigned: | October 30, 2007 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | April 30, 2019 |
| Reasons: | This species although currently abundant in BC may be suffering a decline as has recently been documented in southeast Alaska. The decline has been observed in areas of BC south of the Alaska - BC border, but the scope and immediacy of the decline is unknown. Where it has been observed, the mortality has been severe. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | FG = 20,000-2,500,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | Coastal BC and disjunct in the interior wetbelt. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | E = > 300 |
| Comments: | There is no spatial data to support an estimate but it is assumed that there are at least 300 occurrences in coastal BC. Disjunct populations are also found in the interior of British Columbia and are considered remnants of pre-glacial populations by Antos and Zobel (1986). |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | U = Unknown |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | U = Unknown |
| Population Size: | H = >1,000,000 individuals |
| Comments: | No empirical data but it is assumed that there are at least a million trees in BC. Stands of yellow-cedar are common in coastal maritime regions extending southward from Alaska to the Siskiyou Mountains in northern California (Antos and Zobel 1986). |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | Localized substantial threat |
| Comments: | Eleven areas in the North Coast Forest District, south of the Alaska - BC border were investigated and concentrated mortality was observed (Hennon et al. 2005). Crown and bole symptoms of dying trees were all consistent with the phenomenon observed in southeast Alaska. The scope and immediacy of the problem in BC are unknown. For the purposes of this preliminary analysis, the scope of the threat is low, based on available information. The areas where trees are affected display moderate severity. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | FG = Decline of <30% to relatively stable |
| Comments: |
Yellow cedar decline is a serious issue in Alaska. More than 500,000 acres of decline have been identified in southeast Alaska (Thompson 2007). In addition, Hennon et al. (2005) have documented the decline in British Columbia. Numerous large areas of mortality were observed in BC 150 km south of the border with Alaska. The full extent of decline has yet to be determined. |
| Long-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | U=Unknown |
| Environmental Specificity: | D=Broad. Generalist or community with all key requirements common. |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Penny, J.L. |
| Date: | November 01, 2007 |
| References | |
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Hennon, Paul E. et al. 2005. Yellow-cedar decline in the North Coast Forest District of British Columbia. U.S. For. Serv., Pac. N.W. Res. Stn., Portland, OR. Res. Note PNW-RN-549. 16 pp.
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Pojar. J. Unpublished report. Changes in vegetation of Haida Gwaii in historical time. B.C. Ministr. of Forests. Smithers, B.C.
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Thompson, Jonathan. 2007. The mysterious demise of an ice-age relic: exposing the cause of yellow-cedar decline. U.S. For. Serv. Pac. N.W. Res. Stn., Portland, OR. Science Findings Issue 93. 5 pp.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2007. Conservation Status Report: Callitropsis nootkatensis. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Apr 20, 2026).