Incense Cedar

Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens, Cupressaceae) is a slow-growing native conifer from western Oregon to Nevada and south into California, found at elevations of 700 to 2,500 meters. It develops a narrow conical form reaching 70 to 110 feet in cultivation and 100 to 150 feet in the wild, with a lifespan exceeding 1,000 years. Dense fan-like sprays of lustrous dark green foliage show little winter browning. Light to reddish-brown bark and cylindrical female cones with distinctive paired scales resembling duck beaks are identifying features.

Incense cedar grows in sun to part shade on a range of soils, preferring moist, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam (pH 4.6 to 7.1), hardy in Zones 5a to 8b. It has low water needs, medium drought tolerance, and a minimum root depth of 60 inches. Maintenance is low. Documented diseases include Seiridium canker, Port Orford cedar root rot, leaf blight, and cedar flagging. The cultivar 'Maupin Glow' offers yellow-and-green foliage at 8 feet. The wood has been the primary material for wooden pencils due to its soft, easily sharpened character.