Calocedrus decurrens
California Incense Cedar
Photo of Calocedrus decurrens - California Incense Cedar
No photo for the moment for Calocedrus decurrens - California Incense Cedar
Please note: You must be the owner of the posted photo and it must not be copyrighted.
Things You Must Knows cannot be held responsible for photos posted in violation of this rule
Common Name:
Sun (From 0 to 5):
Water (From 0 to 5):
Maximum temperature:
Minimum temperature:
Maximum height:
Maximum width:
California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) - Description
C. decurrens is native to the mountains of central and southern Oregon, California, western Nevada, and also to northern Baja, California. It is a symmetrical tree, growing to heights of 75 to 90 feet tall with a dense, narrow, pyramidal crown. It often has a 10 to 15 foot spread at it's base. It bears reddish-brown bark on it's trunk. It also bears small, yellowish brown to reddish brown cones.
California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) - Growth
Incense Cedars need room to spread at their bases. It's best to give them around 15 ft. to spread. They can reach up to 90 ft. tall. Does fine with full sun or even partial shade. Even though they grow slowly at first, they can start growing 2 ft. per year when they are established. Does fine with intense summer heat.
California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) - Planting
To propagate by seeds, plant the seeds indoors in early spring. Provide stratification period of about 8 weeks at a temperature just above freezing (you can easily do this by placing the seeds in a refrigerator). Once the seedlings get large enough to handle, move them to an area that would not get to cold during their first winter. The seedlings can be planted outside in the late spring or early summer. Be sure to plant them in an area that provides plenty of space for growth.
California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) - Pest
Very few pests bother these plants. In their native climates, mature trees may fall victim to some dry rot in the heartwoods of their trunks.
California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) - Interesting facts
Incense Cedars are known to have several folk medicinal uses. A tea using the leaves and young stems may have medicinal properties by healing stomach problems. To treat head colds, steam from an infusion of Incense Cedar bark can be inhaled. Most of the tree is very aromatic and resists both insect and disease problems. Because of this quality, the wood of the plant is highly prized for superficial construction (interior and exterior siding, fences, greenhouse benches, etc.) The wood is soft and pliable, which makes it mostly unsuitable for most structural construction; however, being soft and pliable has made this wood a perfect choice for making pencils.
California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) - Soil and irrigation
Tolerates poor soils, but thrives in moist, well-drained and fertile soil. Needs very little irrigation once established as they are known to be rather drought tolerant.
