Antonio Mcgowan
The incense cedar, or *Calocedrus decurrens*, is a species of conifer native to western North America. It is a large tree, with a trunk diameter of up to 10 feet and a broad conic crown of spreading branches. The bark is reddish, furrowed, and aromatic, and the leaves are dark green and emit a spicy fragrance when crushed. The incense cedar is easy to grow in a garden but requires plenty of room. Its timber is used for carpentry, pencils, storage chests, interiors, and fence posts.
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What You'll Learn
Incense cedar reproduces via wood wasps
The incense cedar tree (Calocedrus decurrens) has an unusual method of reproduction involving wood wasps (Syntexis libocedrii). This species of wasp, also known as the cedar wood wasp, is the only living species in the wood wasp family Anaxyelidae. It is a "living fossil", with a long history dating back to the dinosaurs.
The female wood wasps exhibit a unique behaviour of ovipositing, or egg-laying, in recently burnt incense cedar trees. They are often attracted to trees that are still smouldering from forest fires, and their larvae develop in the wood. The eggs are deposited in the sapwood of the tree, and the resulting larvae can bore to a depth of up to 76mm. After feeding on the tree, the larvae pupate near the surface of the sapwood.
The wood wasps' relationship with the incense cedar is mutually beneficial. The wasps gain a source of food and a safe place to lay their eggs, while the tree benefits from the wasps' ability to disperse its pollen and seeds. This process, known as myrmecochory, is a form of mutualism between plants and insects, where the plant provides resources for the insects, and the insects aid in the plant's reproduction.
In addition to their role in the incense cedar's reproduction, the wood wasps also play a role in the decomposition of the trees. The larvae bore into the wood, creating tunnels that can weaken the structural integrity of the tree. This can lead to the tree's eventual collapse, providing nutrients to the surrounding soil and promoting the growth of new incense cedars.
The incense cedar wood wasp is a rare species that is typically only seen by firefighters in the Pacific coastal states, from central California to southern British Columbia. Its existence was studied in 1963 when a large number of sapling-sized incense cedars were infested by the wasps after a forest fire near Viola, California.
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The wasps feed on trees still smouldering from forest fires
The process of forest fires and their impact on the surrounding environment is a complex one. While the flames and heat of a wildfire can be devastating, the smouldering that follows is often overlooked but can have far-reaching consequences. This is when certain insects, dubbed "fire bugs", come into play. These insects are attracted to the smoke and flames of forest fires, and their presence can create a hazardous situation for firefighters. Among these insects is the wood wasp, or Syntexis libocedrii, which has been described as a "living fossil". The wood wasp has a particular affinity for the incense cedar tree, scientifically known as Calocedrus decurrens.
The wood wasp is part of a family that has existed since the time of the dinosaurs, and it plays a unique role in the ecosystem by feeding on trees, especially those that are still smouldering after a fire. This behaviour is not limited to just the incense cedar but also includes other tree species. The wasps are drawn to recently killed wood, which provides a suitable food source for their young. This relationship between fires and insects is described as one of "mutual destruction" by Sam Lin, as the insects' presence can contribute to the intensity and frequency of fires in forest stands.
The incense cedar, with its distinctive wavy branching pattern, is an evergreen tree native to the Pacific Northwest. Its aromatic wood has been used for various purposes, including pencils, due to its soft and splinter-resistant nature. The tree's foliage and wood contain resins, giving them a spicy fragrance. However, beyond its aesthetic and practical value, the incense cedar plays a role in the life cycle of the wood wasp. The wasps target trees that are weakened or struggling, as they sense an opportunity for a feast.
The behaviour of insects like the wood wasp is not limited to just the incense cedar. Dwight Scarbrough, a U.S. Forest Service entomologist, explains that insects are attracted to trees in distress during a fire, whether it be from the heat, smoke, or the fire itself. This phenomenon is not exclusive to wildfires, as insects also infest drought-ravaged pine and fir forests. Firefighters battling wildfires must contend with the additional hazard of swarms of biting and stinging insects, which can range from bark beetles to stinging hornets. Thus, the presence of insects like the wood wasp that feeds on smouldering trees is a critical consideration in understanding the complex dynamics of forest fires and their ecological impact.
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The wood is aromatic, water-resistant, and used for pencils
Incense cedar, or California incense cedar, is an evergreen tree with a distinctive aroma and wavy branching pattern. The tree's scientific name is Calocedrus decurrens, with "calocedrus" meaning "beautiful cedar" in reference to its appearance. This species is native to the forests of northern California and southern Oregon and is the primary source of wood for pencils.
The wood of the incense cedar tree is aromatic and water-resistant, with a range of practical applications. Its use in pencils, however, is particularly notable. The wood's smooth, straight grain and soft texture make it ideal for machining and sharpening without splintering or splitting. This property is crucial in the pencil-making process, especially during the "grooving" step when grooves are cut into the wood to hold the graphite.
Incense cedar's thermal conductivity rating, or K factor, is among the best for all softwoods. This provides dependable insulation and resistance to heat migration, which improves the wood's performance during machining, gluing, and drying processes. Additionally, its stability as a wood species enables it to withstand variations in temperature and humidity without warping, checking, or shrinking.
The technical properties of incense cedar, coupled with its optimal physical characteristics, make it uniquely suited for precision machining. This results in a very smooth machined surface and exceptional sharpenability in finished pencils. The lack of resin canals and pitch pockets further enhances the finishing process, as the wood can be easily painted or stained without bleeding or other issues.
The use of incense cedar wood in pencils also has economic and sustainability advantages. The western forests of the United States, particularly in California, represented a vast and untapped source of timber with superior growing conditions for softwoods. This led to lower timber costs compared to other regions. Additionally, incense cedar trees are strictly regulated and sustainably harvested, ensuring a continuous supply for the pencil industry while also contributing to a positive environmental impact.
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The tree is native to the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains
The incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a species of conifer native to the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges of North America. The tree is also found in western Oregon, most of California, the extreme west of Nevada, and a short distance into northwest Mexico in Baja California. The bulk of its range is in the United States. It grows at altitudes of around 160 to 9,500 feet (or 300 to 2,800 metres according to another source), and it is known for its adaptability to varying conditions and locations.
The incense cedar is a large tree, with a trunk diameter of up to 10 feet and a height of 30 to 45 metres. It has a broad conic crown of spreading branches, and its bark is reddish, orange-brown, or pinkish-orange, weathering to a greyish colour. The foliage is produced in flattened sprays with short, scale-like, bright green leaves. The leaves are waxy and hold their colour for a long time, and they emit a spicy fragrance when crushed.
The wood of the incense cedar is aromatic, water-resistant, and soft, making it ideal for carpentry and the production of pencils, window sashes, exterior siding, trellises, fencing, panelling, chests, decking, and more. The tree's adaptability and the usefulness of its wood have likely contributed to its widespread presence across the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains and beyond.
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It grows at altitudes of 160 to 9,500 feet
The California incense cedar, or Calocedrus decurrens, is a species of conifer native to western North America. It is found from central western Oregon to most of California, the extreme west of Nevada, and a short distance into northwest Mexico in northern Baja California. Notably, this tree can grow at a wide range of altitudes, from 160 to 9,500 feet. This adaptability to varying altitudes and locations contributes to its widespread presence across the region.
The incense cedar is an impressive tree, capable of reaching heights of up to 150 feet and a trunk diameter of up to 10 feet. Its trunk is straight and boasts reddish, furrowed bark that starts as orange-brown and smooth but weathers to a grayish colour over time, becoming fissured and peeling in long strips on older trees. The tree's branches spread out, ending in sprays of branchlets that are covered with dark green leaves. These leaves are waxy and retain their colour for an extended period.
The incense cedar is aptly named, as its leaves emit a distinct odour when bruised or crushed. This fragrance has been described as a mix of pencil shavings and parsnips, providing a pleasant aroma to its surroundings. The tree's aromatic qualities extend to its wood, which is water-resistant and has been utilised in various applications, including window sashes, exterior siding, trellises, fencing, panelling, and even the creation of pencils due to its softness and ease of sharpening.
The incense cedar is a member of the cypress family (Cupressaceae) and is primarily native to the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges in North America. Its ability to thrive at altitudes ranging from 160 to 9,500 feet is a testament to its adaptability and contributes to its status as the most widely-known cedar species. This tree is a true giant of the plant world, offering not just its impressive size but also a sensory experience with its unique fragrance.
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