Alaska Cedar
Callitropsis nootkatensis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © brewbooks (iNaturalist #27999905)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Genus:
- Callitropsis
- Species:
- Callitropsis nootkatensis
- USDA Symbol:
- CANO9
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Eupithecia unicolor
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- Thin bark makes mature trees susceptible to fire damage. Regenerates slowly after fire from seed; not a pioneer species in burned areas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained, organic-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers cool, moist environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed; germination can be erratic and extended over several weeks.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 90 days.
Establishment: C.nootkatensis is found in coastal mountain ranges from Alaska to northern California; from 0 to 1500 m elevation. Propagation collection is small lot, hand collected.
Source: npn.rngr.net