The Process of Harvesting Cedar

Every piece I create begins long before the weaving... it starts in the forest. The cedar used in every product is personally harvested by me in the Pacific Northwest, from Darrington and Sultan, Washington. This process is deeply intentional and rooted in respect, sustainability, and teachings passed down to me. Harvesting cedar is not just about gathering materials, it’s about building a relationship with the land, honoring the tree, and following a careful, traditional process from the first prayer to the final weave. Here’s a look into that journey.

Step 1 - Timing and Prayer: 

Harvesting cedar is the sustainable collection of the inner bark of the tree, done with care and intention. I only take what is needed so the tree can continue to survive and heal. This process happens each Spring, usually when you start to see cottonwood floating through the air, which is a natural sign that it’s time. One of the most important teachings from my mentor, Jamie Sheldon, is to begin by offering a prayer and blessing the tree, asking for its permission before taking anything.

Step 2 - Harvesting the Bark:

I use a small hatchet to make a horizontal cut several feet up the trunk, creating a tab to pull from. From there, I gently pull the tab upward at an angle while walking backwards, allowing the long strip to release from the tree. These strips can reach anywhere from 12 to 27 feet long, and I only take one strip per tree.

Step 3 - Initial Processing:

The fresh strip contains both an outer and inner bark. Right away, I use a knife and my hands to carefully peel away the outer bark, leaving it behind in the woods. The inner bark is then rolled up and taken home, as it’s the part used for weaving all of my products. Once bundled, it can be stored for years, though traditionally it’s left to dry for 3 to 6 months before being used.

Step 4 - Further Preparation/Weaving:

Before weaving, the dried bark is soaked in water until it becomes pliable, then carefully split into narrower strands of the desired width and thickness. Once the cedar is prepared, I begin weaving my pieces, keeping the material moist throughout the process so it stays flexible.

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True mastery of weaving is measured by the ability to create watertight baskets—an essential skill once used by our ancestors for carrying water and gathering berries. This standard reflects both technical precision and deep cultural knowledge passed through generations. A well-known story, Her First Basket, tells of a young girl who learns this discipline through persistence, eventually crafting a basket capable of holding water and offering it as a gift to the eldest woman in her village. The story can be read here: https://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org/Storytelling/HerFirstBasket

Each piece I make carries the story of this process, from the forest to the final weave. Thank you for taking the time to learn about the care, tradition, and intention behind my work.