Calocedrus decurrens

incense cedar

  • © www.wikipedia.org - Walter Siegmund

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

  • © www.wikipedia.org - MPF

Outstanding Qualities

Incense cedar is a tough, easy-to-grow evergreen conifer that is native to the Pacific Northwest. Its narrow, upright form has a formal, stately appearance that only improves with age. Its dark green foliage is soft to the touch and has a wonderful cedar-like fragrance that permeates the air in warm weather. It makes an excellent vertical accent or a backdrop in the landscape.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: conifer

Growth Habit: narrow

Foliage Type: evergreen

Plant Height (10-year): 18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 40 ft. 0 in. (12.19 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 12 ft. 0 in. (3.66 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 8

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun

Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established

Resistant to: deer

Culture Notes

Incense cedar grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, but will tolerate sand and clay as long as the drainage is adequate. Once established it is very drought tolerant. It tolerates hot spots in the garden.

Geek Notes

Native to southwestern and central Oregon, much of California, and the extreme western portion of Nevada