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Incense cedar

How to identify Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)

Incense cedar

Incense cedar is a conifer characterized by a broadly conical shape and spreading branches reaching up to impressive heights. Its distinctive bark, gray-brown and exfoliating, adds texture to the tree's appearance. The foliage is arranged in dense, fan-like sprays at the end of flattened branchlets. When the dark green leaves are crushed, they release a notable aromatic scent. This tree features two types of cones: the male cones exhibit a yellow hue, whereas the female cones are cylindrical, with 6 paired scales that appear pointed. These female cones, evocative of a duck's bill upon opening in the fall, mature later in the season at higher altitudes.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Incense cedar

1

Dense foliage in fan-like sprays at branch ends

2

Female cones with 6 paired scales, resembling duck bills

3

Distinctive reddish-brown, woody fruit cones with 4 seeds

4

Shiny, dark green scale-like leaves, smooth and veinless

5

Thick, furrowed bark that exfoliates into narrow strips

Incense cedarIncense cedarIncense cedarIncense cedarIncense cedar

Detailed Traits of Incense cedar

Leaf Features

The leaves of incense cedar are arranged in flattened, vertical sprays, displaying a shiny, dark green color that persists through winter. The scale-like leaves are overlapping, tightly packed, and each typically measures about 0.08 to 0.12 inches (2 to 3 mm) in length. These leaves are smooth to the touch and devoid of noticeable veins, forming a dense, lush foliage characteristic of the species. Their rich, glossy appearance, combined with a consistent green tint, aids in identifying incense cedar.

Leaf Shape

Scalelike

Incense cedar Leaf Shape image
Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of incense cedar are actually reproductive cones rather than traditional flowers. The male cones are small, yellow-brown, and cylindrical, measuring about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long. The female cones are slightly larger, around 0.75 inches (2 cm) long, with a woody appearance and overlapping scales. Blooming typically occurs in late fall to early winter, with no noticeable scent. The unique structure and arrangement of the cones help in easy identification of incense cedar.

Incense cedar Flower image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of incense cedar are distinctive, small cones that carry up to 4 seeds. These cones exhibit an elongated, duck bill-shaped appearance. When ripe in the fall, they take on a reddish-brown hue that stand out against the foliage. The woody texture of the cones endures through winter, as they persist on the tree until spring, making them identifiable year-round. Each cone typically measures approximately 0.8 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) in length, serving as a unique identifier for incense cedar.

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Key Facts About Incense cedar

Attributes of Incense cedar
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Plant Height
9 m to 21 m
Spread
2.5 m to 3.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Yellow
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Incense cedar

Family
Cypress
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Species
Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
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Distribution Map of Incense cedar

Incense cedar is native to the mountain ranges of Western North America. It thrives in diverse climates ranging from arid interior locations to humid coastal zones. Beyond its native habitat, incense cedar has been introduced to various parts of Europe and Asia, where it is valued for its ornamental attributes and grown under cultivation.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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