Buy Calocedrus decurrens

Known as the incense cedar for the sublime spicy fragrance of the bright-green fern like sprays of this majestic pyramidal tree, with age its bark becomes reddish and deeply-furrowed and exfoliates in long strips, in cultivation this tree reaches 30-50', but in the wild it can reach over 150' and live over 1,000 years; this Western United States native (Oregon to Baja) is extremely drought-tolerant making it a fine choice for Xeriscape and California native gardening and yet it surprisingly adaptable to the heat and humidity of the east coast. S/M-D

This is one of our favorite species in the false cedar group of cypress trees. Native to Northern California and Western Oregon, Incense-cedar grows in a wider array of situations than any other conifer we've seen. From bogs where no other tree will grow because of root rot and low (acidic) pH to rocky ridge tops where water is available only immediately after rainfall, Calocedrus decurrens always looks healthy. We have found it growing in the calcium-devoid serpentine soils of the Klamath mountains where the only other conifers growing are Jeffery and Western White Pines, as well as growing on pure limestone with an over abundance of calcium and high (basic) pH. Additionally, the Incense-cedar will grow in full baking sun on a southern exposure or in the low light conditions under an established tree canopy. If you ever have trouble growing trees, this is the species to try.

The incense cedar is (naturally) aromatic and has upright branching that is candelabra-esque with age. It is native from Oregon to California, southwestern Nevada and northern Baja California. It's 100-150 feet in the wild and lives to 1000+ years (plant a big tree for the future); 50 feet tall is more usual in cultivation. Branchlets form fan-like sprays with scale-like foliage. Reddish-brown, deeply-furrowed scaly bark is typical with age and cones are often described as resembling duckbills when they open to release their seed. John Muir said, "no waving fern-frond in shady dell is more unreservedly beautiful in form and texture, or half so inspiring in color and spicy fragrance." Clearly, for the jaded, Calocedrus decurrens needs to be reconsidered.

As the common name implies, an evergreen conifer with fragrant foliage especially noticeable in warm weather. Upright, symmetrical and columnar it will grow from 50 to 150' tall, producing short horizontal branches in flat sprays of dark green foliage. Crown shape varies with climate. Flaky, gray bark reveals maroon beneath. Slow growing in youth, it may then grow up to 2' per year once established. Tolerant of poor soils, summer heat and extended periods of cold temperatures. Best grown in full sun, but shade tolerant in youth. Occasional water once established. John Muir said of the tree "makes fine mansions for storm-bound birds." Hardy to 0F. Oregon to Baja California, Western Nevada.

Dark green foliage has cedar-like fragrance. NW native. Narrow, stately form, drought tolerant. Zones 5-8.

The Incense Cedar is a rapidly growing, upright tree. It was known for many years as Libocedrus decurrens and is native to the western U.S. In its native habitat, it grows generally as a pyramidally-shaped tree, though in its more Southern climes and in Europe it tends to be more columnar. It has flat needle leaves like Thuja. Good for tall hedges, windbreaks or borders.