Cedar trees stand as majestic conifers, often recognized for their grandeur and historical significance. The term “cedar,” however, frequently leads to confusion, as many trees share this common name despite not belonging to the true cedar genus, Cedrus. Understanding the distinct characteristics of these trees is helpful for accurate identification.
Visual Characteristics of True Cedars
True cedar trees, encompassing species like Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica), and Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), possess specific visual attributes. Their needles are a primary identifier, measuring one to two inches in length and arranged in dense clusters or rosettes on short, woody shoots. New growth, in contrast, appears with needles borne singly on longer shoots. The color of these needles can vary from deep green to silvery blue-green, or even light green, and they remain on the tree for three to six years.
The cones of true cedars are distinctive. Female cones are large and barrel-shaped, ranging from three to six inches long, and grow upright on the branches. These cones mature over two to three years before disintegrating while still attached to the tree, releasing their winged seeds. Male cones are smaller, resembling catkins, and release pollen in the autumn.
A mature true cedar’s bark changes with age, transitioning from a smoother, grayish-brown texture on younger trees to a deeply furrowed, plated, or fissured pattern in older specimens, often appearing reddish-brown to blackish-brown. The overall shape of true cedars evolves; young trees exhibit a pyramidal form, which gradually broadens and flattens into a more irregular, picturesque outline with age, characterized by wide-spreading horizontal branches. Some varieties may even display striking pendulous or weeping branches.
Trees Commonly Called Cedar
Many conifers are frequently referred to as “cedar” but do not belong to the Cedrus genus, often leading to misidentification. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), a common example, features two types of foliage: tightly overlapping, scale-like leaves on mature branches and sometimes prickly, needle-like leaves on young shoots. Its bark is reddish-brown and tends to peel in long, fibrous strips. Unlike true cedars, Eastern Red Cedar produces small, berry-like blue-gray cones.
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is another tree commonly misnamed. It has flattened, scale-like sprays of foliage, giving it a distinctive appearance. Its cones are small and elongated, differing significantly from the upright, barrel-shaped cones of true cedars. Similarly, Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) exhibits flattened sprays of scale-like leaves and small, round cones.
Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata) presents a different case entirely, as it is a broadleaf tree rather than a conifer. While it shares the “cedar” name and is valued for its fragrant wood, its deciduous nature and compound leaves immediately distinguish it from any true cedar or coniferous “false cedar.”
Key Differences for Identification
The arrangement of leaves is a primary distinguishing factor; true cedars have needle-like leaves grouped in dense clusters on short woody pegs, with new growth appearing as single needles. In contrast, many false cedars, such as junipers and arborvitae, possess small, flattened, scale-like leaves that tightly overlap along the branches.
True cedars are unique in producing large, barrel-shaped female cones that stand upright on branches and disintegrate upon maturity while still on the tree. This contrasts with trees like Eastern Red Cedar, which bear small, berry-like cones, or other false cedars that have small, woody cones that fall intact.
True cedars feature deeply furrowed or plated bark that becomes more pronounced with age. Many false cedars, like Eastern Red Cedar, have bark that peels or shreds in strips. While both true and false cedars often have aromatic wood, the specific scent can differ; true cedars are known for a spicy-resinous fragrance from their oils.
Size and Growth Patterns
True cedars are known for their impressive stature and longevity. These large evergreen trees reach heights of 40 to 70 feet in cultivated settings, though they can soar to over 100 feet, and even up to 200 feet, in their native habitats.
Young true cedars exhibit a distinctly pyramidal form, but as they mature, their crown broadens and flattens. True cedars are long-lived trees, with some species capable of surviving for hundreds, and in some cases, even thousands of years.