Incense Cedar
AKA: California Incense Cedar
Calocedrus decurrens syn. Libocedrus decurrens [kal-oh-SED-rus day-KUR-enz]
- Plant Type
- Tree
Nursery Tag
Rapidly growing pyradimal coniferous evergreen tree. Height 25 - 30 feet, spread 10 - 15 feet USDA Zone: 5 - 8 Light Needs: Full sun, Partial sun Water Needs: Once established, needs only occasional watering.
Gardener's Log
01/2021: Planted midway along newly cleared easement
I struggled with what to plant to replace all the trees removed along our easement to the neighbors driveway. I went with an incense cedar as part of a conifer mix to create a permanent screen. It likes sun, which may or may not be bad – the easement is definitely shaded in the morning and evening but gets a blast of sun mid-day.
I like that this tree stays somewhat narrow, only gets about 40′ tall, and supposedly smells wonderful on hot days. I also think the flat, vertical sprays of needles will create a nice contrast to both the sitka spruce and thuja green giants flanking it on either side.