Incense Cedar
Calocedrus decurrens
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Source: Wikimedia; Credit: Roger Culos https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Erc%C3%A9
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Genus:
- Calocedrus
- Species:
- Calocedrus decurrens
- USDA Symbol:
- CADE27
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 4500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Argyresthia arceuthobiella, Argyresthia libocedrella, Eupithecia placidata, Periploca dentella, Nelson's hairstreak (Mitoura nelsoni)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) Moths:Incense Cedar Sphinx (Sphinx libocedrus) Butterflies:Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick, fibrous bark provides excellent fire resistance. Mature trees commonly survive low to moderate intensity fires, and the species is well-adapted to fire regimes of western forests.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers dry slopes and ridges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light exposure and cool stratification. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 60 days.
Establishment: L. decurrens is found in southern Oregon, California and western Nevada at montane elevations.
Source: npn.rngr.net