Thuja occidentalis

Found: in swamps and cool, rocky soils

Height: up to 18 meters (60 feet)

Leaves: evergreen needles occur in flattened sprays. The cones are small, scaled, and bell shaped.

Uses: Experiments have shown that the leaf oil of the Northern White Cedar is antiseptic, expectorant, and a counterirritant. Extracts from the oil have also shown promising in treating viral conditions such as herpes simplex.

Warning: Leaf oil is toxic, it causes hypotension and convulsions. Fatalities have been reported.