Calocedrus Species, Bastard Cedar, Incense Cedar, White Cedar

Has anyone measured the soil pH near the drip line of their Incense Cedars? I have several mature ones edging my yard in inland coastal n...Read Moreorthern Calif (Willits). I have just moved here. That part of the yard has a lot of composted cedar duff, so I'm guessing the pH will be pretty low, and could benefit from a light sprinkling of ash from my wood stove. Will be buying pH strips soon, to test various parts of the yard--especially before I plant garlic. This is an highly versatile tree, thriving in wide range of high & low temps and available water. For some reason, it is not common at my location--but will learn why eventually. A surprising location where it has done well: planter strip next to hot summer asphalt, no irrigation, and winter temps of (previous) Zone 5 in Moscow, Idaho.

Incense Cedar grows very well in the Reno, NV area. I have also had success planting it in the Twin Falls/Jerome, Idaho area. This spec...Read Moreies will tolerate the cold of Northern NV and Southern ID; it tolerates much heat and requires no supplemental irrigation in the above areas once it is established. I intend to try planting seeds in SW Montana in the next year or so. In the eastern Sierra Nevada, it grows in association with Ponderosa Pine. In general, I have found it to be a rather "slow growing" species, but the lack of need for supplemental irrigation off-sets any negatives associated with its slow growth. In Idaho, I planted both 15 gallon and 2-1 seedlings in late spring, both sizes were watered by hand 2 times per week the first summer, then 1 time per week the second summer and after that they survived on their own. After 7 years, the survival rate is 100%.

The Arnold Arboretum (Boston, MA Z6a) has several handsome specimens, one at least 40' tall. All are columnar, and look a bit like arborv...Read Moreitae (Thuja). They hold their foliage differently, and shed snow more effectively---Thuja occidentalis often suffers snow damage here (at least the common cultivars do), but I've never seen the incense-cedar damaged by snow.

I understand that in California, in the wild, Calocedrus assumes a wide variety of shapes and forms. All the Calocedrus I've seen in cultivation are columnar. Where a columnar evergreen is wanted, in eastern Massachusetts, I'd choose an incense-cedar over an arborvitae.

Incense Cedars are native throughout California and can be found in warmer zones than the listed zone 8b. They are native in abundance to...Read More my zone 9a climate, and thrive in full sun or part shade with no summer irrigation.