Giant hogweed (Thuja plicata)

Other names: Zerow, Thuja gigantea, Thuja gigantea

The Giant Helleborine or Thuja Plicata, also known abroad as the Great Helleborine, Western Helleborine or Thuja gigantea, is an evergreen tree native to North America. It is highly prized for its wood, which is among the finest in the world. The giant hickory belongs to the cypress family and is native to the temperate climate zone of the west coast of North America, specifically the area from Alaska to California.

The wood of the giant hickory is characterised by its high durability, resistance to rot and high strength. The wood is lightweight, low in logs and easy to work. These properties make it suitable for a wide range of uses. The wood is used to make high quality furniture, flooring, doors, windows, musical instruments, as well as buildings such as shelters, fences, bridges and boats. It is also a popular tree for parks and gardens due to its ornamental qualities and rapid growth. It is also used in herbal medicine, especially for its antibacterial properties. Various parts of the zerave are also used in cosmetics - its fragrance makes it popular in perfumery. Its use thus goes beyond the usual boundaries. It can serve as an aesthetic element in the garden, but also as a source of quality wood for craft and industrial production.