California Incense Cedar

California Incense Cedar

Calocedrus decurrens

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

▲ young, nursery tree

▲ ▼ closer view of needle arrangements on twigs

▲ ▼ closer view of needle arrangements on twigs

▲ large mature tree at 833 E. Loren in Springfield, MO

▲ mature tree branches

▲ mature tree bark

Location on or near campus: 833 East Loren, Springfield, MO (a few blocks southwest of MSU campus)

Calocedrus decurrens: California Incense Cedar (tree)

  • needles scale-like, in 4s, 1/4 - 1/2" long (longer than other scale-like leaved trees, dark green, aromatic
  • branchlets flattened, ending in fan-like sprays which point upward at the very tip
  • bark cinnamon colored, with stringy, fibrous furrows
  • cones small flattened, 3/4 - 1" long and 1/3 as wide
  • grows 30-50' tall to 10-15' wide in a dense upright pyramidal column
  • prefers full sun to light shade, fertile, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates drought and poor soils
  • slow to medium growth rate