Incense Cedar
Calocedrus decurrens
Also listed as Libocedrus decurrens, Heyderia decurrens
Also known as California Incense-cedar, Californian Incense-cedar, California Post Cedar
Climate Match for your location
See how well Incense Cedar grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A columnar evergreen conifer native to California with fragrant, flattened foliage and reddish-brown bark. Valued for windbreaks, screens, and ornamental use in dry climates.
Why grow it
Incense cedar offers a narrow, columnar habit that many conifers cannot match, making it useful for tight spaces and formal screens where broader species would be impractical. Its aromatic foliage and attractive bark provide sensory and visual interest year-round. Compared to other drought-tolerant western conifers, it performs well in warm, dry regions with good drainage and full sun exposure, though it is less cold-hardy than some alternatives in northern zones.
Watch out for
This species prefers well-draining soil and may struggle in areas with heavy clay or poor drainage, particularly in humid climates where root rot can develop. Young plants benefit from consistent water during establishment, and mature trees may decline if subjected to prolonged drought stress beyond what their native range typically experiences.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California and Oregon
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Columnaris grows extremely narrow and tall, ideal for tight spaces; Aureovariegata features golden-yellow foliage.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A columnar evergreen conifer native to California with fragrant, flattened foliage and reddish-brown bark. Valued for windbreaks, screens, and ornamental use in dry climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Incense Cedar grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Incense cedar offers a narrow, columnar habit that many conifers cannot match, making it useful for tight spaces and formal screens where broader species would be impractical. Its aromatic foliage and attractive bark provide sensory and visual interest year-round. Compared to other drought-tolerant western conifers, it performs well in warm, dry regions with good drainage and full sun exposure, though it is less cold-hardy than some alternatives in northern zones.
Watch out for
This species prefers well-draining soil and may struggle in areas with heavy clay or poor drainage, particularly in humid climates where root rot can develop. Young plants benefit from consistent water during establishment, and mature trees may decline if subjected to prolonged drought stress beyond what their native range typically experiences.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California and Oregon
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Columnaris grows extremely narrow and tall, ideal for tight spaces; Aureovariegata features golden-yellow foliage.