The Tree

California Incense-Cedar is a well formed tree 75 to 125 feet tall and 18 to 40 inches in diameter. This is the only species of this genus growing in the United States. An important forest tree of the Pacific Coast , it thrives in the higher elevations of the Cascades, Sierra Nevada and other mountainous regions of California. The bark is deeply furrowed, two to three inches thick at the base and one inch thick midway of the tree's height. On the younger trees the bark is thin, smooth, slightly scaly and a reddish cinnamon or purplish-red color and has a silver sheen to the bark scales. On the mature trees the bark is shreddy and a cinnamon-brown color. The evergreen yellowish-greenleaves are small, scale like, rather pointed, and closely overlap one another, the branchlets forming a flat spray. These leaves have small resin glands and when crushed or bruised give off a pungent aromatic odor. The cones are small, smooth, pointed, three-quarters of an inch long, area light-yellowish-browncolor, and hang downward from the ends of the small branches. A fungus attacks the live trees, causing cavities in the heartwood. The tree is planted extensively for ornamental and landscape purposes.

California Incense-Cedar open cones

California Incense-Cedar pollen cones

California Incense-Cedar foliage

California Incense-Cedar tree bark

Common Names in Use

• California Incense-Cedar (lit. and hort.)
• Bastard Cedar (Calif., Wash.)
• California Post Cedar (Calif., lit.)
• Cedar (Calif., Oreg., and trade)
• Incense Cedar (Calif., Oreg., and trade)
• Juniper (Nev.)
• Post Cedar (Calif., Nev.)
• Red Cedar
• Roughbark Cedar (trade)
• White Cedar (Calif., Oreg.)

Growth Range

The natural growth range of California Incense-Cedar extends from southwestern Oregon southward through California into Lower California. Small stands are also found in western Nevada.

The Wood

The heartwood of California Incense-Cedar is a light-tan color often tinged with red or a pale, dull, yellowish-brown, tinged with a reddish or lavender hue, which darkens with age and exposure. The sapwood is white or cream-color. The soft wood has a fine compact grain, uniform texture, is light in weight, very straight-grained, and has a spicy, resinous odor. It splits very easily and evenly, is easy to work with tools and takes a good polish.

California Incense-Cedar Slab by Cook Woods

California Incense-Cedar by Houghs

Uses

This wood is used for lumber, fence posts, shingles, toys, “mothproof” chests, and closet linings. Because of its softness and straight grain, large quantities are used for pencil manufacture. It is also used for Venetian blinds and for novelties. Some types of furniture may be made from this wood which finishes beautifully.