Northern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis) is a member of the Cypress family of trees. It is very slow growing and found abundantly in the North Eastern US and Eastern Canada. The tree only grows to 50-70 feet throughout its lifetime, but can live to 800 years or more because the wood is exceptionally resistant to rot and insects. The lumber is splinter free, and will not warp or shrink. Although you can stain or seal white cedar, it can also be left to weather naturally to a silver-gray.