Synonyms: Libocedrus
Family: Cupressaceae
Common Name: Incense Cedar

The name of this genus of conifers means 'beautiful cedar' and the name is apt. It comprises only three species, one from the western areas of the United States, the other two from eastern Asia. This distribution is typical of some other genera within the family, Cupressaceae, including Thuja and Thujopsis and is thought to point to areas into which such plants retreated during the ice ages. Calocedrus has flattened sprays of flattened branchlets and four rows of scale leaves.

Species

C. decurrens (Synonym: Libocedrus decurrens), California incense cedar, zone 6, is the North American species. It forms either a broad or narrow column shape, depending on its position and the climate in which it grows. A superb tree, with deep glossy green foliage, it mostly reaches 10 m (33 ft) under cultivation, although growing to 35 m (115 ft) in the wild. The soft, aromatic timber is used in cabinet-making.

The beautiful C. formosana, zone 9, from Taiwan, and C. macrolepis, zone 9, a native of Burma and south-western China, are little known outside Southeast Asia.

Cultivation

To achieve maximum growth, these conifers need a cool climate, high rainfall and deep, reasonably fertile soil, although beautiful smaller specimens can be produced in warmer coastal areas if a suitably cool microclimate is present. C. formosana is the species most likely to adapt to warmer areas. Propagate from seed as cuttings are difficult to strike and do not generally produce reliable plants or good tree forms.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.