![Western red cedar leaves and needles close-up](/media/30966/western-red-cedar-leaves-needles-close-up-alamy-h922hj-d-mark.jpg?center=0.42537313432835822,0.46638655462184875&mode=crop&heightratio=0.5622047244094488188976377953&width=647&rnd=132102469630000000)
Credit: D Mark / Alamy Stock Photo
Leaves
Leaf bases cover the twigs, creating flattened sprays of foliage in opposite pairs. Leaves sprouting from the twigs are small, only 2–3mm long, and scale-like with an ovate shape. They are dark glossy green above with whitish markings underneath.