Heidi Norton
The incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a species of conifer native to western North America, with a range extending from Oregon in the Pacific Northwest down to northern Baja California in Mexico and as far east as western Nevada. It is a large evergreen tree with a broad conic crown, capable of growing to heights of up to 150 feet. Incense cedars are adaptable trees, able to grow in a wide range of conditions, from near-desert to near-rainforest, and at altitudes of 160 to 9500 feet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genus | Calocedrus |
| Species | decurrens |
| Common Name | Incense Cedar |
| Native Region | Western North America |
| Range in the US | Oregon, California, Nevada, Northwest Mexico |
| Altitude Range | 160 to 9500 feet |
| Tree Height | Up to 150 feet |
| Trunk Diameter | Up to 7-10 feet |
| Crown Shape | Broad Conic |
| Bark Color | Orange-Brown, Grayish, Cinnamon-Red |
| Foliage | Flattened sprays with short, scale-like leaves |
| Leaf Color | Bright Green |
| Soil Tolerance | Poor soils |
| Rainfall Tolerance | 15 to 80 inches per year |
| Growth Rate | Slow starter, 6 feet in 4 years |
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What You'll Learn
Incense cedar is native to western North America
Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a species of conifer native to western North America. It is also known as California incense cedar, reflecting its prevalence in the state. The tree's range extends from Oregon in the north, through most of California, and into the extreme west of Nevada, as well as a short distance into northwest Mexico in northern Baja California. Incense cedars can be found at altitudes of 160 to 9500 feet, demonstrating their adaptability to a range of environments.
The incense cedar is a large tree, with a trunk diameter of up to 10 feet and a broad conic crown of spreading branches. Its distinctive appearance includes orange-brown bark that weathers to a grayish colour, with the bark on older trees becoming fissured and peeling in long strips. The foliage is produced in flattened sprays, with short, scale-like leaves that are bright green on both sides of the shoots.
The incense cedar is a slow-growing tree, taking four years to reach a height of six feet in nursery conditions. In the wild, these trees can grow to a height of 150 feet, with a trunk diameter of up to seven feet. The natural range of the incense cedar includes a variety of climatic conditions, from near-desert to near-rainforest, with annual rainfall averages ranging from 15 to 80 inches per year. This adaptability allows the incense cedar to thrive in diverse habitats across western North America.
The incense cedar has held cultural significance for the native peoples of the region. The wood was one of the favoured materials used by Native Americans in California for making bows due to its excellent flexibility and compression strength-to-weight ratio. The wood is also aromatic, water-resistant, and soft, making it ideal for crafting pencils that sharpen easily without splintering.
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It grows at altitudes of 160 to 9500 feet
The incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a species of conifer native to western North America, with a range spanning from western Oregon to California and the extreme west of Nevada, as well as a short distance into northwest Mexico in northern Baja California. Notably, this cedar species can thrive at various altitudes, ranging from 160 to 9500 feet above sea level. This adaptability allows it to occupy diverse habitats and ecological niches.
The ability of incense cedars to grow across such a wide altitude range is quite remarkable. At the lower end of this spectrum, they can be found at elevations as low as 160 feet, where they contribute to the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. In these lower-lying areas, incense cedars often grow in mixed coniferous forests, alongside other conifer species such as firs, spruces, and pines.
As you move higher up the elevational gradient, incense cedars continue to flourish. They are known to grow at altitudes of several thousand feet, such as in the mountains of the far west, where their natural range extends. In these higher-elevation habitats, incense cedars often form pure stands or mix with other tree species adapted to montane conditions.
The upper limit of their altitudinal range is quite impressive, as they have been recorded at elevations of up to 9500 feet. At these lofty heights, the trees are subjected to harsher environmental conditions, including stronger winds, colder temperatures, and potentially shorter growing seasons. Despite these challenges, incense cedars exhibit a remarkable ability to adapt and survive, showcasing their ecological plasticity.
The adaptability of incense cedars to diverse altitudes is further evidenced by their presence in specific geographic regions known for their varying elevations. For instance, in Oregon, where their range extends near the Columbia River, they likely encounter a range of altitudes, each presenting unique microclimates and ecological communities. This adaptability allows incense cedars to occupy a wide variety of habitats and play important ecological roles across western North America.
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It thrives in a variety of conditions
The incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a species of conifer native to western North America, with a range spanning from Oregon in the north to northwest Mexico in the south, and from California in the west to western Nevada in the east. It is also known as California Incense Cedar.
The incense cedar is a slow-growing tree. In the first two years, it will only reach a height of about one foot. It reaches three feet in the third year and six feet in the fourth, making it a four-year crop in a 15-gallon container. The tree grows in zones 1-12 and 14-24, excluding the low deserts of the southwest, and can tolerate poor soils.
The bark of young incense cedars is orange-brown, weathering to a grayish colour as the tree ages. The bark of older trees becomes thick, fibrous, and furrowed, and can be pinkish-orange or cinnamon-red in colour. The heartwood is reddish-brown, soft, light, fine-grained, and aromatic. The foliage is produced in flattened sprays with short, scale-like leaves that are bright green on both sides of the shoots.
The incense cedar is a beautiful, large evergreen tree with a conical and symmetrical shape. Its aromatic wood has a variety of uses, including the crafting of pencils, window sashes, exterior siding, trellises, fencing, panelling, Venetian blinds, chests, decking, greenhouse benches, and shoe trees. It was also used by Native Americans in California to make bows due to its excellent flexibility and compression strength-to-weight ratio.
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It grows in zones 1-12 and 14-24
The incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a species of conifer native to western North America, with a range that extends from Oregon in the north to northern Baja California in Mexico and western Nevada to the east. It grows at altitudes of 160 to 9,500 feet, or 2,000 to 7,000 feet according to another source, and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, from near-desert to near-rainforest.
The incense cedar is a slow-growing tree, reaching only about one foot in height in the first two years, three feet in the third year, and six feet in the fourth year. It grows in zones 1-12 and 14-24, excluding the low deserts of the southwest, and can tolerate poor soils.
The tree is large, with a trunk diameter of up to 7 to 10 feet and a broad conic crown of spreading branches. The bark is thick and fibrous, with a cinnamon-red or orange-brown colour that weathers to grey, and becomes fissured and peeling in long strips on older trees. The foliage is produced in flattened sprays with short, scale-like leaves that are bright green on both sides of the shoots.
The incense cedar is a popular tree for gardeners due to its ease of growth, pleasant aroma, and the fact that it is used to make pencils, as the wood is soft and sharpens easily without splintering. It was also one of the favoured varieties of wood used to make bows by Native Americans in California due to its excellent flexibility and compression strength-weight ratio.
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It is easy to grow in a garden
Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a beautiful big evergreen tree native to the mountains of the far west, from Oregon in the US to northern Baja California in Mexico and western Nevada. It is a species of conifer native to western North America, with three species native to eastern Asia. The tree is easy to grow in a garden but requires plenty of room. It grows at altitudes of 160 to 9500 feet, and in zones 1-12 and 14-24, excluding the low deserts of the southwest. Incense cedars in the wild grow to a height of 150 feet, with a trunk diameter of up to 10 feet. They are slow starters, reaching only about one foot in the first two years, three feet in the third year, and six feet in the fourth. They thrive in a wide variety of conditions, from near-desert to near-rainforest, with annual rainfall averages ranging from 15 to 80 inches per year. The bark is thick and fibrous, with a cinnamon-red colour that weathers to grey, and the heartwood is reddish-brown, soft, light, fine-grained, and aromatic. The foliage is produced in flattened sprays with short, scale-like leaves that are bright green on both sides of the shoots.
If you're thinking of growing incense cedar in your garden, it's important to note that they can grow quite large, so make sure you have enough space. They are tolerant of poor soils and can adapt to a range of moisture conditions, making them relatively low-maintenance. Their aromatic wood has been used for a variety of purposes, including window sashes, exterior siding, trellises, fencing, panelling, and even pencils, as the wood is soft and sharpens easily.
When planting incense cedar, consider its unique branching habit—if you look up from underneath the tree, you'll notice a funky, wavy branching pattern. This adds to the tree's visual interest and makes it stand out among other evergreens. Incense cedar is a great choice for gardeners who want to add a touch of beauty and uniqueness to their outdoor space while also attracting wildlife, as the tree is known to be a favourite food source for wood wasps.
Whether you live in a region with near-desert or near-rainforest conditions, incense cedar is a resilient and striking addition to any garden, providing a natural source of shade and a distinctive, pleasant aroma.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is native to the western United States, from Oregon to California and Nevada, and a small part of northwest Mexico.
Incense cedar grows at altitudes of 160 to 9500 feet.
Incense cedar will tolerate poor soils and has a wide rainfall range, from near desert conditions to near rainforest conditions.
Incense cedar is a slow starter, reaching only about one foot in the first two years, three feet in the third year, and six feet in the fourth year.
The natural range of incense cedar extends from near the Columbia River in Oregon to northern Baja California in Mexico and western Nevada.
