Eastern white cedar, eastern arborvitae

This species is typical of limestone regions and is able to tolerate very dry soil. It also grows well in moist or swampy sites and on rocky cliffs. The species is a good indicator of soil type: in the Montréal region, its presence usually indicates that the sub-soil is of Ordovician limestone. In the Laurentians, where the rocks are acidic, eastern white cedar grows next to lakes, where the water circulating around its roots keeps the pH at a suitable level. The species is abundant in the deciduous zone and south of the St. Lawrence, but does not grow east of Sept-Îles.