Cedar trees, from the genera Cedrus, Thuja, Juniperus, Cupressus, and others in the Cupressaceae and Pinaceae families, are evergreen conifers prized for their aromatic wood, durable timber, and ornamental value. Native to diverse regions, from Mediterranean mountains to North American forests, cedars are used for landscaping, construction, and cultural purposes. Their name, from the Arabic “kedros,” refers to their fragrant, resinous wood.
Cedar trees are identified by their evergreen foliage: needle-like in true cedars (Cedrus) and Siberian cedar (Pinus), scale-like in Thuja, Juniperus, and Cupressus. Bark ranges from fibrous and peeling (western red cedar) to fissured (Lebanon cedar). Cones vary—upright and barrel-shaped in Cedrus, berry-like in Juniperus, or small and round in Cupressus. Heights span 10–200 feet, with conical, columnar, or weeping canopies.
Most prefer well-drained, acidic to neutral soils in full sun, with Thuja tolerating shade or wet soils. Aromatic wood and longevity (some over 1,000 years) are hallmark traits.
Cedars support wildlife, with seeds and foliage feeding birds (e.g., cedar waxwings) and mammals. Their wood, decay-resistant, is used for shingles, furniture, and canoes (e.g., western red cedar by Indigenous groups). Lebanon cedar symbolizes resilience in Middle Eastern cultures. They act as windbreaks and stabilize soil. Overharvesting threatens species like Cyprus cedar, listed as vulnerable by IUCN. Ornamental cultivars, like Italian cypress, enhance landscapes.
Plant cedars in well-drained, acidic to neutral soils (Chinese thuja tolerates alkaline) with full sun, except shade-tolerant Thuja. Water young trees; mature cedars often handle drought (e.g., Utah juniper). Monitor for bagworms, spider mites, or root rot. Climate change stresses warmer-zone cedars; select hardy species (e.g., eastern red cedar for versatility). Propagate via seeds or cuttings. Rare types like Cyprus cedar are at specialty nurseries.
While many trees are commonly called “cedar,” there are only four true species of cedar trees, belonging to the genus Cedrus. These are:
True Cedar Species (Cedrus)
- Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) – also known as Blue Atlas Cedar, native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria.
- Cyprian Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) – native to the island of Cyprus.
- Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) – also known as Himalayan Cedar, native to the western Himalayas.
- Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) – native to the mountains of Lebanon, western Syria, and south-central Turkey.
However, the term “cedar” is also widely applied to many other trees that share characteristics like aromatic wood, but belong to different genera and even different plant families. These are often referred to as “false cedars.”
Here are several well-known “false cedar” types:
- Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) – a species of arborvitae native to the Pacific Northwest of North America.
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) – a species of juniper native to eastern North America.
- Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) – also known as American Arborvitae, native to northeastern North America.
- Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) – native to western North America.
- Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) – also known as Lawson Cypress, native to southwestern Oregon and northern California.
- Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis, often also Callitropsis nootkatensis or Xanthocyparis nootkatensis) – native to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
- Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata) – a hardwood in the mahogany family, native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. 12. Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) – native to eastern Asia.
- Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus bermudiana) – a species of juniper endemic to Bermuda.
- Siberian Pine (Pinus sibirica) – sometimes erroneously referred to as “Siberian cedar.”
- Mexican White Cedar (Cupressus lusitanica) – a species of cypress native to Mexico and Central America.
- Mountain Cedar (Juniperus ashei) – native to northeastern Mexico and the south-central United States.
- Chilean Cedar (Austrocedrus chilensis)
- Clanwilliam Cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) – a species of cypress endemic to South Africa.
- Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis, formerly Thuja orientalis) – native to the Mediterranean region.
- Australian Red Cedar (Toona ciliata) – in the mahogany family, native to Australia.
- Prickly Cedar (Juniperus oxycedrus) – native to the Mediterranean region.
Types of Cedar Trees
Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica)
Native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria in North Africa, the Atlas cedar grows in high-altitude forests (4,000–8,000 feet) in USDA zones 6–9. Reaching 40–100 feet tall and 30–40 feet wide, it forms a broad, pyramidal canopy, often open with age.
Its bark is gray, fissured, and scaly. Needles are short, 0.5–1 inch, bluish-green or silvery (especially in cultivars like ‘Glauca’), clustered in rosettes on spurs. Cones are barrel-shaped, 2–3 inches, upright, disintegrating on branches. It prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soils in full sun, tolerating drought but not wet feet. Its silvery-blue cultivars and North African origin distinguish it from the Lebanon cedar.
Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus libani)
Native to the mountains of Lebanon, Syria, and southern Turkey, the Lebanon cedar thrives at 3,000–6,500 feet in USDA zones 5–9. Growing 40–80 feet tall and 30–60 feet wide, it has a conical youth shape, flattening into a tiered, wide-spreading canopy with age. Its bark is dark gray, deeply fissured. Needles are dark green, 0.5–1.5 inches, in dense clusters of 30–40, lasting 3–6 years.
Cones are upright, 3–5 inches, purplish-brown, resinous. It favors well-drained, loamy soils in full sun, tolerating drought and cold. A symbol of Lebanon, its tiered branches and longer cones set it apart from the Atlas cedar.
Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara)
Native to the western Himalayas, from Afghanistan to northern India and Tibet, the Deodar cedar grows at 4,000–10,000 feet in USDA zones 7–9. Reaching 40–70 feet tall (up to 150 in the wild) and 20–40 feet wide, it has a graceful, weeping pyramidal form with drooping branch tips. Its bark is gray-brown, cracking into plates. Needles are soft, 1–2 inches, light green to bluish, in clusters of 20–30.
Cones are upright, 3–4 inches, reddish-brown, disintegrating. It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils in full sun, tolerating heat but not heavy clay. Its weeping habit and Himalayan origin distinguish it from the stiffer Lebanon cedar.
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Native to western North America, from southeast Alaska to northern California and east to Montana, the western red cedar grows in coastal rainforests and montane valleys in USDA zones 5–8. Reaching 100–200 feet tall and 20–60 feet wide, it forms a conical canopy with drooping branches.
Its bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, peeling in strips. Scale-like leaves are glossy green, 0.1–0.2 inches, aromatic, in flattened sprays. Cones are small, 0.5 inches, ovoid, brown. It prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soils in partial shade to full sun, tolerating wet sites. Its fibrous bark and scale-like foliage set it apart from true cedars like Atlas.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Texas and Florida, the eastern red cedar grows in prairies, woodlands, and rocky hills in USDA zones 2–9. Growing 30–65 feet tall and 10–25 feet wide, it has a dense, columnar to pyramidal shape.
Its bark is reddish-brown, peeling in thin strips. Leaves are scale-like, 0.1 inches, dark green, or needle-like (juveniles), aromatic. Cones are berry-like, 0.25 inches, blue-black with a waxy bloom, eaten by birds. It thrives in well-drained, dry to moist soils in full sun, tolerating drought and poor soils. Its berry-like cones and juniper traits distinguish it from western red cedar.
Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Native to northeastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and south to Tennessee, the northern white cedar grows in swamps, bogs, and limestone uplands in USDA zones 2–7. Reaching 40–60 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide, it forms a conical, dense canopy.
Its bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, peeling in narrow strips. Scale-like leaves are bright green, 0.1–0.2 inches, in fan-like sprays, aromatic. Cones are small, 0.4 inches, oblong, yellowish-brown. It prefers moist, neutral to alkaline soils in full sun to partial shade, tolerating wet conditions. Its smaller size and swamp habitat set it apart from western red cedar.
Alaska Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis)
Native to the Pacific Northwest, from southeast Alaska to Oregon, the Alaska cedar grows in coastal mountains and wet forests up to 7,500 feet in USDA zones 4–8. Growing 60–120 feet tall and 20–40 feet wide, it has a drooping, conical canopy with pendulous branches.
Its bark is gray-brown, peeling in thin strips. Scale-like leaves are dark green to bluish, 0.1–0.2 inches, sharp-tipped, in flattened sprays. Cones are round, 0.5 inches, reddish-brown, warty. It thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade, tolerating cold. Its pendulous branches and coastal range distinguish it from northern white cedar.
Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)
Native to southwestern Oregon and northwestern California, the Port Orford cedar grows in coastal forests and streamsides up to 5,000 feet in USDA zones 5–8. Reaching 60–200 feet tall and 15–30 feet wide, it forms a narrow, conical canopy with soft, drooping branches.
Its bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, peeling in strips. Scale-like leaves are blue-green, 0.1 inches, in lacy sprays, aromatic. Cones are small, 0.3 inches, round, reddish-brown with scales. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun, sensitive to drought. Its lacy foliage and limited range set it apart from Alaska cedar.
Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
Native to Central and South America, from Mexico to Argentina, Spanish cedar grows in tropical and subtropical forests in USDA zones 10–12. Reaching 60–100 feet tall and 30–50 feet wide, it has a straight trunk and spreading canopy.
Its bark is gray-brown, fissured. Pinnate leaves are compound, 12–24 inches, with 10–20 glossy green leaflets, aromatic. Flowers are small, greenish, in panicles; fruit are woody capsules with winged seeds. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soils in full sun, tolerating heat but not frost. Its deciduous, pinnate leaves distinguish it from evergreen cedars.
Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
Native to western North America, from Oregon to Baja California and east to Nevada, incense cedar grows in montane forests up to 7,000 feet in USDA zones 5–8. Growing 50–150 feet tall and 15–30 feet wide, it forms a narrow, columnar canopy.
Its bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, peeling in strips. Scale-like leaves are glossy green, 0.1–0.3 inches, in flattened sprays, strongly aromatic. Cones are small, 0.5–1 inch, oblong, reddish-brown. It prefers well-drained, loamy soils in full sun, tolerating drought and poor soils. Its columnar shape and spicy scent set it apart from Port Orford cedar.
Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
Native to Japan and southern China, Japanese cedar grows in temperate forests up to 6,000 feet in USDA zones 5–9. Reaching 50–150 feet tall and 20–30 feet wide, it forms a dense, conical canopy. Its bark is reddish-brown, peeling in long strips.
Needle-like leaves are soft, 0.5–1 inch, bright green, spirally arranged, turning bronze in winter. Cones are small, 0.5–1 inch, round, brown. It thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade, tolerating humidity. Its soft needles and Asian origin distinguish it from incense cedar.
Mexican White Cedar (Cupressus lusitanica)
Native to Mexico and Central America, from Guatemala to Costa Rica, Mexican white cedar grows in highland forests at 3,000–10,000 feet in USDA zones 8–10. Growing 60–100 feet tall and 20–40 feet wide, it has a conical to spreading canopy. Its bark is reddish-brown, peeling in thin strips.
Scale-like leaves are blue-green, 0.1 inches, in dense sprays, aromatic. Cones are small, 0.5 inches, round, blue-gray maturing to brown. It prefers well-drained, loamy soils in full sun, tolerating heat but not severe cold. Its blue-green foliage and Central American range set it apart from Japanese cedar.
Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara subsp. deodara)
Native to the western Himalayas, spanning eastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, and northwest India, the Himalayan cedar grows in montane forests at 5,000–10,500 feet in USDA zones 7–9. Reaching 50–150 feet tall and 20–40 feet wide, it forms a graceful, conical canopy with weeping branch tips. Its bark is grayish-brown, cracking into rectangular plates with age.
Needles are soft, 1–2 inches long, bluish-green, in clusters of 20–30 on short spurs. Cones are upright, barrel-shaped, 3–5 inches, reddish-brown, disintegrating on the tree. It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils in full sun, tolerating heat but not waterlogged conditions. Its drooping branches and Himalayan range distinguish it from the Atlas cedar.
Cyprus Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia)
Native to the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus, the Cyprus cedar is a rare subspecies of the Lebanon cedar, growing in small, isolated forests at 3,000–5,000 feet in USDA zones 6–8. It reaches 30–60 feet tall and 20–30 feet wide, with a dense, conical to spreading canopy. Its bark is dark gray, fissured, and scaly. Needles are short, 0.3–0.8 inches, dark green, in tight clusters of 20–30, shorter than other true cedars.
Cones are upright, 2–3 inches, purplish-brown, resinous. It prefers well-drained, rocky soils in full sun, tolerating drought and cold. Its compact size and shorter needles set it apart from the Lebanon cedar.
California Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens subsp. decurrens)
Native to California, from the Sierra Nevada to southern Oregon and western Nevada, the California incense cedar grows in montane forests at 2,000–7,000 feet in USDA zones 5–8. Growing 50–150 feet tall and 15–30 feet wide, it has a tall, columnar canopy with dense foliage. Its bark is reddish-brown, thick, peeling in fibrous strips.
Scale-like leaves are glossy green, 0.1–0.3 inches, in flattened, fan-like sprays, emitting a spicy aroma. Cones are oblong, 0.5–1 inch, reddish-brown, with winged seeds. It thrives in well-drained, loamy soils in full sun, tolerating drought and poor soils. Its tall, narrow form and strong scent distinguish it from Port Orford cedar.
Siberian Cedar (Pinus sibirica)
Native to Siberia and northern Mongolia, the Siberian cedar, a pine often called a cedar, grows in taiga forests at 1,500–8,000 feet in USDA zones 3–7. Reaching 50–100 feet tall and 20–40 feet wide, it forms a dense, conical canopy. Its bark is gray-brown, scaly, becoming fissured. Needles are soft, 2–5 inches, in bundles of five, dark green, lasting 3–5 years.
Cones are large, 3–5 inches, ovoid, purplish-brown, with edible seeds (pine nuts). It prefers well-drained, acidic soils in full sun, tolerating cold but not heat. Its five-needle bundles and pine nuts set it apart from true cedars like Deodar.
Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
Native to the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida and west to Mississippi, the Atlantic white cedar grows in coastal swamps, bogs, and wet forests in USDA zones 4–8. Reaching 40–80 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide, it forms a narrow, conical canopy with soft, upright branches. Its bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, peeling in thin strips.
Scale-like leaves are blue-green, 0.1–0.2 inches, in fan-like sprays, aromatic, turning bronze in winter. Cones are small, 0.2–0.3 inches, round, bluish-purple maturing to brown. It prefers wet, acidic, peaty soils in full sun to partial shade, intolerant of drought. Its wetland habitat and bronze winter foliage set it apart from Port Orford cedar.
Taiwan Incense Cedar (Calocedrus formosana)
Native to Taiwan, the Taiwan incense cedar grows in montane forests at 3,000–6,500 feet in USDA zones 8–10. Growing 50–80 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide, it forms a conical to columnar canopy with dense foliage. Its bark is reddish-brown, peeling in fibrous strips, aromatic.
Scale-like leaves are glossy green, 0.1–0.2 inches, in flattened sprays, emitting a spicy scent when crushed. Cones are small, 0.5–0.8 inches, oblong, brown, with winged seeds. It thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade, sensitive to drought and cold. Its Taiwanese origin and smaller cones distinguish it from California incense cedar.
Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus bermudiana)
Native exclusively to Bermuda, an Atlantic island chain at 32°N latitude, the Bermuda cedar once dominated the island’s upland forests, valleys, and marshes in USDA zones 10–11. Growing 15–50 feet tall and 20–30 feet wide, this evergreen juniper forms a dense, conical to rounded canopy. Its bark is thin, reddish-brown, peeling in strips. Scale-like leaves are blue-green, 1.5–2.5 mm, in opposite pairs, aromatic, with needle-like juvenile leaves (4–8 mm).
Berry-like cones are globose, 4–6 mm, bluish-purple, containing 1–2 seeds, maturing in 8 months, and eaten by birds like the Bermuda white-eyed vireo. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soils in full sun, tolerating salt and wind. Historically vital for shipbuilding, 99% of trees were lost to scale insect blights in the 1940s–1950s, leaving ~25,000 critically endangered trees today. Its reddish timber and Bermuda endemism distinguish it from eastern red cedar.
Mountain Cedar (Juniperus ashei)
Native to central Texas, southern Oklahoma, southwest Arkansas, northern Mexico, and southwest Missouri, the mountain cedar, also called Ashe juniper, grows in limestone hills, canyons, and the Edwards Plateau at 1,000–3,000 feet in USDA zones 6–9. Reaching 15–30 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide, it forms a dense, rounded to columnar, often multi-stemmed canopy.
Its bark is gray, shredding in long, fibrous strips with reddish undertones. Scale-like leaves are dark green to bluish, 0.1 inches, aromatic, in tight sprays, with juvenile needle-like leaves possible. Berry-like cones are dark blue, 0.3–0.4 inches, waxy, maturing in one year, supporting wildlife. It excels in well-drained, alkaline soils in full sun, tolerating drought and heat. Known for triggering allergies, it’s a key Texas Hill Country species. Its regional range and allergenic pollen set it apart from Bermuda cedar.
Chilean Cedar (Austrocedrus chilensis)
Native to the Andes of southern Chile and western Argentina, the Chilean cedar, also called cordilleran cypress, grows in montane forests and rocky slopes at 1,600–6,500 feet in USDA zones 7–9. Growing 30–80 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide, this evergreen forms a conical to columnar canopy. Its bark is gray-brown, fissured, peeling in thin strips. Scale-like leaves are dark green, 0.1–0.2 inches, in opposite pairs, forming flattened sprays, aromatic.
Cones are small, 0.3–0.5 inches, ovoid, brownish, with 4–6 scales, maturing in one year. It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils in full sun, tolerating cold but not waterlogging. A protected species due to deforestation, it’s fast-growing and dense, used for timber. Its Andean habitat and denser wood distinguish it from mountain cedar.
Australian Red Cedar (Toona ciliata)
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland to New South Wales, and parts of Southeast Asia (India, Indonesia), the Australian red cedar grows in rainforests and coastal regions up to 3,000 feet in USDA zones 9–11. Reaching 60–150 feet tall and 30–50 feet wide, this deciduous hardwood forms a broad, spreading canopy. Its bark is brown, scaly, peeling in strips.
Pinnate leaves are compound, 12–24 inches, with 10–20 glossy green leaflets, turning yellow in fall, aromatic. Flowers are small, white, in panicles; fruits are woody capsules with winged seeds. It thrives in moist, well-drained, fertile soils in full sun, intolerant of frost. Prized for its reddish, workable timber, it’s vulnerable to overharvesting. Its deciduous nature and pinnate leaves set it apart from Chilean cedar.
Prickly Cedar (Juniperus oxycedrus)
Native to the Mediterranean region, from southern Europe (Spain, France, Greece) to North Africa and Western Asia (Turkey, Lebanon), the prickly cedar grows in dry, rocky hillsides and woodlands up to 5,000 feet in USDA zones 8–10. Growing 20–50 feet tall and 15–30 feet wide, this evergreen juniper forms a spreading, irregular canopy, often shrubby. Its bark is gray-brown, peeling in fibrous strips.
Needle-like leaves are sharp, 0.5–1 inch, in whorls of three, green with two white stomatal bands, prickly to touch, unlike most junipers’ scale-like leaves. Berry-like cones are reddish-brown, 0.3–0.5 inches, maturing in 18 months. It prefers well-drained, dry soils in full sun, tolerating drought and heat. Used for juniper oil, it’s rare in cultivation. Its spiny needles and Mediterranean range distinguish it from Australian red cedar.
Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis)
Native to the Pacific Northwest, from southeast Alaska to northern California, the Alaskan yellow cedar, also called Nootka cypress, grows in coastal mountains and wet forests at sea level to 7,500 feet in USDA zones 4–8. Growing 60–120 feet tall and 20–40 feet wide, it forms a drooping, conical canopy with pendulous branches.
Its bark is silvery-gray, peeling in thin strips. Scale-like leaves are dark green to bluish, 0.1–0.2 inches, sharp-tipped, in flattened sprays, with a “mildewy” odor when crushed. Cones are round, 0.5 inches, green-purple maturing to brown, warty. It thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade, tolerating cold. Its pale yellow, durable wood is prized for carving and boatbuilding. Its drooping branches and yellow wood set it apart from prickly cedar.