# California Incense-Cedar (*calocedrus decurrens*) The California Incense-Cedar is a tall tree with fragrant wood that smells wonderful! It has beautiful, soft, green needles that are perfect for making nature crafts! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** California's mountainous regions, particularly in mixed conifer forests. - **Also known as:** Calocedrus, Incense Cedar, Western Cedar ![California Incense-Cedar](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Incensecedar_sanjacintomts.JPG&width=800) Photo: The original uploader was Geographer at English Wikipedia ., CC BY 1.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Incensecedar_sanjacintomts.JPG) ## Appearance The California Incense-Cedar is a tall, slender conifer with a distinctive narrow, columnar crown. It has flattened, scale-like leaves arranged in sprays, which are bright green to yellowish-green. Its reddish-brown bark is deeply furrowed and peels in long, vertical strips, giving it a unique textured look. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Cupressaceae - **Genus:** Calocedrus ## Interesting facts - It is the only living species in its genus, a true botanical survivor! - Its wood gives off a spicy-sweet aroma, making it prized for cedar chests! - Native American tribes traditionally used parts of this tree for medicine. - The tiny cones open like a duck's bill, releasing winged seeds! ## Special abilities - **Fire Shield Bark:** California Incense-Cedar has thick, fibrous bark that protects its inner tissues, helping it survive some wildfires. - **Deep Drinker Roots:** California Incense-Cedar can access deep water sources with its extensive root system, allowing it to withstand long dry periods. - **Rot-Proof Wood:** California Incense-Cedar has highly rot-resistant heartwood, which helps the tree stay strong and healthy for centuries. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 3000-6000 cm - **Spread:** 300-600 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — collects and caches its winged seeds - **Eats:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — forages for seeds from its cones - **Shelter:** Spotted Owl (*Strix occidentalis*) — nests in cavities of large, old trees - **Shelter:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — uses dense stands for cover ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify California Incense-Cedar? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is California Incense-Cedar? 3000-6000 cm ### How wide does California Incense-Cedar spread? 300-600 cm ### When does California Incense-Cedar bloom? Spring ### Is California Incense-Cedar edible? No ### Is California Incense-Cedar toxic? None ### What is California Incense-Cedar's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is California Incense-Cedar pollinated? Wind ## Where to spot - [Alder Creek Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alder-creek-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Atwell Mill Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atwell-mill-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Black Mountain Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-mountain-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Columbia State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Empire Mine State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/empire-mine-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Long Meadow Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-meadow-grove) — California, US · Forest [View all places to see California Incense-Cedar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/california-incense-cedar) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [California Incense-Cedar: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-incense-cedar)