All cedars, both the botanically true species and the many trees commonly given the name, are indeed evergreen. This simple answer hides a significant botanical complexity that often confuses people. The common name “cedar” has been broadly applied to numerous trees worldwide that share characteristic aromatic wood. Understanding the difference between the true cedar genus and the many species that borrow the name is necessary. This distinction clarifies the scientific classification while confirming the year-round green foliage associated with all of them.
Defining Evergreen Trees
An evergreen tree is a plant that retains its green foliage throughout the year. This does not mean the tree never sheds its leaves, but rather that it sheds them gradually and continuously, replacing old growth with new. The foliage remains functional and green across seasons, providing consistent cover.
This retention of leaves contrasts sharply with deciduous trees, which undergo a complete seasonal leaf drop. Deciduous species typically shed all their foliage in autumn or during a dry season to conserve energy and water. Evergreens are adapted to photosynthesize whenever environmental conditions allow, maintaining their needles or leaves through the winter months. Many conifers, including pines, spruces, and true cedars, fall into this category, with their needle or scale-like leaves helping to minimize water loss.
The True Cedar Genus
The designation of a true cedar belongs exclusively to the genus Cedrus, which comprises four species native to mountainous regions of the Mediterranean and the western Himalayas. These trees are classified within the Pinaceae family, making them relatives of pines and firs. All members of the Cedrus genus are long-lived and characterized by their distinct morphology.
True cedars possess needle-like leaves that are borne in dense clusters, typically ranging from 15 to 45 needles per spur shoot. Their cones are also unique, developing upright on the branches and possessing a barrel shape. Unlike the cones of many other conifers, Cedrus cones disintegrate while still on the branch to release their winged seeds.
The common species include the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), the Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica), and the Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara). Their native range spans from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa to the high elevations of the Himalayas. Their aromatic and durable wood has been valued since antiquity, contributing to the historical significance of the name.
Clarifying Common Cedar Names
The majority of trees referred to as “cedars” in North America are not members of the Cedrus genus; these are often termed “false cedars.” The misnomer is due to the aromatic quality of their wood, which resembles that of the true Mediterranean species. Despite the botanical inaccuracy, these trees also share the characteristic of being evergreen.
Examples of false cedars include:
- The Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), which is actually a juniper.
- The Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), a tree of the Pacific Northwest belonging to the genus Thuja.
- The Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens).
- Various species of the genus Chamaecyparis (False Cypress).
These false cedars are typically distinguished by their foliage, which consists of tiny, overlapping, scale-like leaves that form flattened sprays, rather than the clustered needles of the true cedars. Their cones are also smaller and more rounded or flask-shaped, differing from the upright, barrel-shaped cones of Cedrus. All of these commonly named cedars retain their green foliage year-round, solidifying the answer: all trees called cedars are evergreen.