Western redcedar (WRC) is well known for its natural durability. However, the extractives associated with this durability are not fully understood. The literature primarily credits the thujaplicins, with a lesser role for the lignans; however some previous work had identified highly durable material with low thujaplicin content. To further elucidate the roles of various extractives, the decay resistance of WRC stakes at four test sites was compared with extractives data to examine their association. Plicatic acid, a lignan, was strongly associated with the decay resistance of WRC wood in ground contact. An unidentified, unquantified compound (B) also appeared to be strongly associated with decay resistance. The thujaplicins were only weakly associated with the decay resistance of WRC wood in ground contact.