California Incense Cedar

Calocedrus decurrens

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

▲ young, nursery tree

▲▼ closer view of needle arrangements on twigs

▲▼ closer view of needle arrangements on twigs

▲ large mature tree at 833 E. Loren in Springfield, MO

▲ mature tree branches

▲ mature tree bark

    Location on or near campus:  833 East Loren, Springfield, MO (a few blocks southwest of MSU campus)

Calocedrus decurrens: California Incense Cedar (tree)

·         needles scale-like, in 4s, 1/4 - 1/2" long (longer than other scale-like leaved trees, dark green, aromatic

·         branchlets flattened, ending in fan-like sprays which point upward at the very tip

·         bark cinnamon colored, with stringy, fibrous furrows

·         cones small flattened, 3/4 - 1" long and 1/3 as wide

·         grows 30-50' tall to 10-15' wide in a dense upright pyramidal column

·         prefers full sun to light shade, fertile, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates drought and poor soils

·         slow to medium growth rate