Calocedrus decurrens 'Columnaris'
Columnar California Incensecedar

Previously known as: Libocedrus decurrens 'Columnaris'

Calocedrus decurrens ′Columnaris′ - Trunk

Family:

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family) 98

Genus:

Calocedrus (Incensecedar) 2

Plant Type:

Tree 556

Growth Forms:

Columnar 42

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 233

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Evergreen 249

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous, dark green flattened sprays of evergreen foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Small cones)

Ultimate Height:

30-50 feet

Ultimate Spread:

8-10 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Prefers moist, well-drained soils, but is quite adaptable to soil type, even tolerating poor soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

The small, glandular leaves are scale-like, arranged in whorls of 4, on branches of vertically-held, flattened sprays. The foliage is aromatic when crushed, smelling similar to incense. The small (0.75-1" long) cones are flattened and reminiscent of a duck's bill when they open to release seed. Mature bark is cinnamon-red, fibrous, furrowed, and scaly.

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

The Columnar California Incensecedar is a large, handsome plant, excellent for formal plantings. This cultivar is very narrow-columnar in habit, retaining this form well into maturity. Quite adaptable to different types of soils, this plant is also drought and heat tolerant once established.