Family:  Cypress (Cupressaceae)

Hardy to Zones 5 to 8

(Incense Cedar, California Incense Cedar) Evergreen tree native to western US, growing to 120 feet tall in the best of circumstances, but suitable for smaller landscape or potted tree applications.  Source of soft, aromatic wood for carpentry, fenceposts and pencils.  Source of unique yellow-tipped fronds for smudging and sweatlodge.  I’ve seen them used to dip into the water bucket and sprinkle the fire, and also to lay down on the floor, as an aromatic mat for squatting without getting muddy. Ishi, the last of the California Yahi peoples, famously used the resilient branches from incense cedar for making bows and arrows.  Rarely growing in monotypic stands, the incense cedar may be found associated with other conifers or hardwoods along roadsides and in open, dry places as well as more sheltered locations–riparian zones, north slopes and otherwise cooler exposures.  It is a tough tree that is extremely drought-tolerant.  Older individuals are thick-barked and fire-resistant.  This is one of the best landscaping trees Southern Oregon has to offer!  Space 30 feet apart.

Potted tree, gallon pot, nicely sized up, certified organically grown