20 Different Types of Cedar Trees
Known as the Cedrus genus in its Latin name, cedar trees are among the most well-known tree types worldwide. While we tend to think of cedar trees as growing in just about any area and climate, a genuinely classified cedar tree only grows in particular areas. There are four types of true cedar trees, all of which are found well outside of North America.
Still, even the “faux” types of cedar trees are still amazing to behold no matter where you are. If you’ve found a cedar tree while roaming around in the wild, you might wonder which specific type it is. There’s a good chance that it’s one that we’re going to discuss here. Here are 20 different types of cedar trees, some interesting facts about them, and where they can be found.
1. Atlas Cedar
The first cedar tree is the Atlas cedar, which gets its name from the Atlas Mountains where this species can be found. Atlas cedars grow up to over 100 feet in height, and once made up a vast range on the mountainside that was a sight to behold. Unfortunately, the population of Atlas cedars has dropped tremendously due to a combination of deforestation and wildfires. On the bright side, there has been a lot of activity in repopulating the beautiful Atlas cedar to its original glory.
2. Callitropsis Nootkatensis
Once known as the Cupressus nootkatensis, the name was changed to Callitropsis and could be in the process of another name change to Xanthocyparis. Located in the Pacific Northwest along the British Columbia coast and into Alaska, this tree has been around for thousands of years and can grow to heights of up to 200 feet. Despite extensive human use (mostly for construction), the Callitropsis nootkatensis isn’t at risk of becoming endangered. One myth says that the trees used to be women that were terrified of owls, transforming after becoming exhausted.
3. Siberian Pine
Classified officially as the Pinus sibirica, this tree has a wide range that extends into the Ural Mountains and, of course, Siberia. The Siberian pine is a strong tree that doesn’t require a high elevation to grow and has a lifespan of over 800 years. This tree can also grow in the mountains, however, and typically grows between 100 and 130 feet in height. Naturally, being a Siberian tree, it can easily survive freezing temperatures.
4. Toona Ciliata
The Toona ciliata isn’t confined to just one continent, instead growing in both Asia and Oceania. A very common tree, these ones are extremely tall, often growing to close to 200 feet in height with a diameter of up to 10 feet. The Toona ciliata is more common in Australia where its originally from. This tree is known for being valuable due to its many uses, including construction and upholstery. In some rarer cases, the Toona ciliata can be found in very specific parts of Hawaii and Africa.
5. Deodar Cedar
Though not quite as large as the Toona, the Deodar Cedar can still grow to around 150 feet in height on average. This mountainous tree can be found in the Himalayan Mountains, with very thin and sharp leaves that can grow long. Getting its name from Sanskrit for being a wood worthy of the gods, the Deodar cedar is mostly for aesthetics. However, it does still get used quite a bit for furniture purposes. It’s not a very strong tree, so it’s not used in load-bearing construction very often.
6. Northern White Cedar
Found mostly in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, the Northern White Cedar was once used mainly for use in natural remedies. More recently, though, it has been planted because of its appearance. These are among the smallest cedars that appear on the list, growing to only around 50 feet in height on average, though some will make it much higher in their lifespan. The bark is easy to strip by hand and can grow in swampier areas while handling freezing climates.
7. Incense Cedar
When you think about the types of trees you see at national parks in the western part of the United States, the Incense Cedar is usually what comes to mind. This tree is found almost exclusively in the United States, though it does grow in parts of Baja California. At its northernmost, you can find the Incense Cedar close to the Pacific coast, though it tends to move further inland (including into Nevada) as you go south. This tree can also grow at essentially any altitude, as well.
8. Cedrus Brevifolia
You’ll have to go to a very specific place to find the Cedrus brevifolia, as it’s only found in the Troodos Mountains in Cedar Valley located within Cyprus. These trees aren’t fast growers, and only reach around 40 feet in height. When they reach full maturity, the Cedrus brevifolia tends to grow a crown that resembles an umbrella. This tree also contains tiny, thin branches that grow almost directly outward from the trunk.
9. Cedar of Lebanon
The name likely gives away the location of where this next tree is native to, especially when you consider it’s used on the Lebanese flag. Typically growing over 125 feet tall, the Cedar of Lebanon is unfortunately in the ‘threatened’ conservation status. Because of its status as a country symbol, Lebanon has been attempting to increase its population, by planting millions of trees. The main reason for its population shrinking over the years wasn’t due to overextended human use, but rather its susceptibility to disease.
10. Chamaecyparis Thyoides
Heading to the eastern seaboard of the United States for the first time on the list, the Chamaecyparis thyoides range from New England to the Carolinas on the Atlantic coast and even grow around the Gulf of Mexico, especially in Mississippi. This tree doesn’t face much of a threat in terms of its population, especially since its word doesn’t have many uses. The Chamaecyparis thyoides isn’t a particularly large species, either, growing to around 75 feet on average.
11. Oriental Arborvitae
Another one of the smaller trees on the list, the Oriental arborvitae is officially known as the Platycladus. Only growing to around 50 feet on average, this tree was originally found in northwestern China before spreading out to other regions of Asia. This includes parts of Russia, India, and even Japan. Used for burning incense, the Oriental arborvitae contains essential oils and grows in a wide range of colors. Many of these trees are green, but can also appear to be orange or even pinkish in hue.
12. Port Orford Cedar
Heading back to the Pacific Northwest, we find the Port Orford Cedar that’s located exclusively in northern California and southern Oregon on the Pacific coast. These trees are among the largest types of cedar trees on the list, growing upwards of 200 feet, and have thick trunks that are at least five feet in diameter. Living for hundreds of years, the Port Orford Cedar is almost immune to threats including weather and some wildfires. The largest threat to this tree is logging, making Port Orfords close to threatened status.
13. Juniperus Bermudiana
More often referred to as Bermuda cedar, the Juniperus bermudiana was once heavily populated in the island country, though that unfortunately changed during World War II. Insects were introduced to Bermuda that started to kill off many of the trees, placing the Bermuda cedar into the critically endangered territory. These trees are more suscept to being damaged by insects due to their small stature, often growing under 50 feet. Many homes in Bermuda are also built using this tree’s wood, adding to the deforestation of the species.
14. Eastern Red Cedar
One of the more prosperous cedar trees in the United States, the Eastern Red Cedar is found along almost the entirety of the Atlantic Coast and Great Lakes regions. This species even extends as far west as Nebraska and Kansas, and as far south as Florida and Texas. One of the more versatile trees that you’ll see, the Eastern Red Cedar can grow in just about any condition, no matter the temperature or soil. As a result, these smaller trees which can be as short as 15 feet are far from being threatened.
15. Spanish Cedar
Officially known as the Cedrela odorata, the Spanish Cedar is a tropical tree that’s found in the Caribbean, as well as in several Latin American countries. Considered an invasive species of tree in some parts where it can be found, the Spanish Cedar is also considered to be in the threatened stages of conservation, officially classified as vulnerable. The Spanish Cedar has a wide range in size, too, reaching heights of just around 30 feet all the way up to 100 feet.
16. Sugi
Officially named the Cryptomeria, the Sugi gets its name from the Japanese language as it’s most frequently found in the island country these days. This species of cedar is a massive one, reaching heights of well over 200 feet often despite having a thin trunk. Used as an ornamental tree as well as furniture, Sugi wood is known for being easily workable for carpenters. The Sugi is a very important tree for Japan, with the country naming it the official tree of the country while having an extended documented history.
17. Western Red Cedar
Heading back to the United States, we find ourselves once again in the Pacific Northwest for the Western Red Cedar, which is officially known as the Thuja plicata, though it has many other monikers. At a minimum, the Western Red Cedar is around 150 feet in height, but can grow to be well over 200 feet tall. Though mostly found on the coast, the Western Red Cedar can also be found pretty far inland, especially in northern Idaho in the United States and southern British Columbia in Canada.
18. Libocedrus Bidwillii
Among the few Oceania types of cedar trees is the Libocedrus bidwillii, which is found mostly in New Zealand. One of the few types of cedar trees on the list to be named after a person, the Libocedrus bidwillii is named after botanist J.C. Bidwill, who called New Zealand his home for much of his life between 1815 and 1853. This species of tree isn’t among the largest, often growing to be between 80 and 90 feet. It’s not in immediate danger of becoming extinct, though the Libocedrus Bidwillii is on the verge of being a threatened species.
19. Cupressus Lusitanica
To those that live south of the border, the Cupressus Lusitanica is also known as the Mexican Cedar since that’s where this species is most commonly found, though it’s also spread around parts of Central America. Originally imported from Portugal, the Cupressus has found a new home, and grows to be around 125 feet in height. A tree with a very high population, this species is used commercially and can grow at high altitudes.
20. Juniperus Oxycedrus
Finally, we reach the Juniperus oxycedrus, which is found along the Mediterranean, meaning that there’s a very long list of countries in which this tree is spotted. With several other names that include Cade, prickly juniper, and more, the Juniperus oxycedrus is a rather small tree, often growing well below 50 feet in height. This tree is known for its strong aroma, particularly from the Cade oil that it produces. This has caused it to be used frequently for incense, as well as cosmetics.
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