Seamus Hammond
The incense cedar, also known as the California incense cedar, is a species of coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae. Its scientific name is Calocedrus, derived from the Greek for beautiful cedar. The name incense cedar comes from the odour that its leaves emit when crushed. The tree is native to the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges of North America and can grow to be up to 150 feet tall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genus | Coniferous trees |
| Family | Cypress family Cupressaceae |
| Species | Calocedrus decurrens |
| Former scientific name | Libocedrus decurrens |
| Native to | Western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges of North America |
| Altitude | 300 to 2,800 metres (1,000 to 9,200 feet) |
| Height | 30 to 45 metres (100 to 150 feet) |
| Diameter | Up to 5.5 metres (18 feet) |
| Trunk | Straight with reddish, furrowed bark |
| Branches | Spreading branches ending in sprays of branchlets |
| Leaves | Dark green with both juvenile and mature leaves present |
| Uses | Timber for carpentry, pencils, storage chests, interiors, fence posts, and hearth boards |
| Other names | California incense cedar, ornamental cedar, evergreen cedar |
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What You'll Learn
- The incense cedar's scientific name is Calocedrus, derived from the Greek for beautiful cedar
- Native Americans in California used the wood to make bows, while other Native Americans used the leaves to treat stomach trouble
- The tree is popular as an ornamental plant in Europe and the eastern US, as well as in its native range in western North America
- The largest known incense cedar is in Northern California's Marble Mountain Wilderness, at 469 inches in circumference and 165 feet high
- The tree is resistant to decay and insects, and its wood is used for carpentry, pencils, chests, and storage
The incense cedar's scientific name is Calocedrus, derived from the Greek for beautiful cedar
The incense cedar, or Calocedrus, is a genus of coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae. The name is derived from the Greek word for "beautiful cedar". This is fitting, as the tree can grow to be quite beautiful and majestic, with a straight trunk, reddish furrowed bark, and spreading branches that end in sprays of branchlets covered with dark green leaves. Native to the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges of North America, it is also known as the California incense cedar. It can grow to be quite large, with some specimens reaching heights of up to 150 feet and circumferences of nearly 470 inches.
The scientific name for the incense cedar is Calocedrus decurrens, with the species name "decurrens" referring to the tree's decurrent leaves, which are arranged in apparent whorls of four. The generic name, Calocedrus, is derived from the Greek word for "beautiful cedar", reflecting the tree's aesthetic appeal. This name was first given to the genus in 1873.
The incense cedar is valued for its fragrant and beautiful wood, which is fine-grained, easily worked, and generally resistant to decay and insects. Native Americans in California used this wood to make bows, and it was also the preferred hearth board for lighting fires by friction. Today, the wood is used for carpentry, pencils, storage chests, interiors, and fence posts.
In addition to its practical uses, the incense cedar also has cultural and medicinal significance. Native Americans used the leaves to treat stomach troubles and colds, and as a food spice. The bark fibre was used for basketry or twine, and the branches were used for filters or brooms.
The incense cedar is an ornamental tree that is popular in landscapes, particularly in locations with cool summer climates like Britain, Washington, and British Columbia. It is known for its drought tolerance and ability to grow in poor soil conditions, making it a resilient and adaptable tree.
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Native Americans in California used the wood to make bows, while other Native Americans used the leaves to treat stomach trouble
The incense cedar, or California incense cedar, is a popular ornamental tree in locations with cool summer climates, such as Britain, Washington, and British Columbia. It is native to western North America and eastern Asia. In the wild, it can grow up to 100 feet tall, though cultivated specimens rarely exceed 60 feet. The tree is easily identified by its reddish, furrowed bark, its straight trunk, and its sprays of branchlets, covered with dark green leaves.
Native Americans in California used the wood of the incense cedar to make bows. The wood is flexible, strong, and lightweight, and when backed with sinew, it produces extremely fast and hard-hitting bows. The wood is also moderately decay-resistant and has a strong fragrance.
Other Native Americans used the leaves of the incense cedar to treat stomach ailments. The leaves can be decocted to make a remedy for stomach trouble, or they can be steamed to treat nasal congestion and colds. The leaves can also be used as a food spice.
The bark of the incense cedar is thick and fire-resistant, allowing older trees to survive surface fires. The wood is also used for carpentry, pencils, storage chests, interiors, and fence posts.
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The tree is popular as an ornamental plant in Europe and the eastern US, as well as in its native range in western North America
The incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a popular ornamental plant in Europe and the eastern US, as well as in its native range in western North America. The tree is native to the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges of North America, at altitudes of 300 to 2,800 metres (1,000 to 9,200 feet). It is also found in Oregon, distributed in small populations on the east slopes of Mount Hood, and in California, where the largest known incense cedar grows in the Marble Mountain Wilderness in Northern California, reaching a height of 165 feet.
The incense cedar is a beautiful evergreen conifer of the cypress family (Cupressaceae). Its generic name, Calocedrus, means "beautiful cedar" in Greek. The tree has a distinctive appearance, with a straight trunk, reddish, furrowed bark, and spreading branches that end in sprays of branchlets covered with dark green leaves. Its wood is fine-grained, easily worked, aromatic, and generally resistant to decay and insects, making it a popular choice for carpentry, pencils, storage chests, and interiors.
The tree is well-suited to locations with cool summer climates, such as Britain, Washington, and British Columbia, where it is often grown as an ornamental plant. It is valued for its drought tolerance, ability to stand summer heat, and low maintenance requirements, as it requires little water and no pruning. The incense cedar is also known for its insect-repelling aroma, making it a favourite for use in chests and closets to keep insects at bay.
In addition to its ornamental and practical uses, the incense cedar has cultural and historical significance. Native Americans in California used the wood to make bows, valuing its excellent flexibility and compression strength-weight. The leaves were also used medicinally to treat stomach troubles and colds, and as a food spice. The bark fibre was utilised for basketry, twine, and friction fire-making, showcasing the tree's versatility and importance to the region's indigenous people.
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The largest known incense cedar is in Northern California's Marble Mountain Wilderness, at 469 inches in circumference and 165 feet high
The incense cedar, or *Calocedrus decurrens*, is a species of coniferous tree in the cypress family, Cupressaceae. The name "incense cedar" comes from the odour emitted by its leaves when they are bruised. The tree is also known for its drought tolerance, with the ability to close its leaf pores to prevent water loss. Native Americans in California used this wood to make bows, and Native Peoples of Northern California used it as a hearth board for lighting fires by friction.
The largest known incense cedar is in Northern California's Marble Mountain Wilderness. This tree is a registered California Big Tree. It measures 469 inches in circumference and 165 feet in height. Another source lists the height as 152 feet, with a trunk circumference of 462 inches and a crown spread of 49 feet.
The Marble Mountain Wilderness tree is significantly larger than other notable incense cedars. For example, the Oregon champion in the Windy Creek drainage of the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest is 374 inches in circumference and 150 feet high. The Tannen Lake Titan, just north of the California state line, has a circumference of 486 inches and rises 137 feet.
The incense cedar is native primarily to the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges of North America, at altitudes of 300 to 2,800 meters (1,000 to 9,200 feet). The tree has a straight trunk with reddish, furrowed bark, and spreading branches that end in sprays of branchlets covered with dark green leaves. Its timber is used for carpentry, pencils, storage chests, interiors, and fence posts.
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The tree is resistant to decay and insects, and its wood is used for carpentry, pencils, chests, and storage
The incense cedar, or *Calocedrus*, is a genus of coniferous trees in the cypress family. The name is derived from the Greek for "beautiful cedar". The tree is resistant to decay and insects, and its wood is used for a variety of purposes, including carpentry, pencils, chests, and storage.
The incense cedar is native to western North America, primarily in the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. It typically grows to a height of 30 to 45 meters and can reach a circumference of up to 469 inches. The tree has a straight trunk with reddish, furrowed bark, and its branches spread out, ending in sprays of branchlets covered with dark green leaves.
The wood of the incense cedar is highly valued due to its resistance to decay and insects. While it is susceptible to pocket dry rot, it is generally durable and has excellent workability. This makes it ideal for a range of carpentry applications, including siding, window sashes, fencing, and interior panelling.
The wood of the incense cedar is also used for creating long-lasting storage items, such as chests and closets, where its insect-repelling aroma helps protect the items stored within. Its fine-grained and easily workable nature makes it suitable for crafting delicate items like pencils.
In addition to its practical uses, the incense cedar has cultural and medicinal significance. Native Americans in California used the wood to make bows, valuing its flexibility and compression strength-weight ratio. The leaves were also used as a decoction for stomach troubles, a vapor infusion for colds, and as a food spice.
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Frequently asked questions
The scientific name for the incense cedar is Calocedrus, which is derived from the Greek word for "beautiful cedar". The incense cedar's former scientific name was Libocedrus decurrens.
Yes, there are three species of incense cedar that are native to eastern Asia, and one species that is native to western North America.
The incense cedar tree is native to the western slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges of North America, at altitudes of 300 to 2,800 meters. It is also found in parts of Oregon and California, and is grown as an ornamental tree in Europe and the eastern United States.
The incense cedar tree can grow to be 30 to 45 meters (100 to 150 feet) tall and up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) in diameter. The largest known incense cedar tree, which grows in the Marble Mountain Wilderness in Northern California, is 469 inches in circumference and 165 feet tall.
