The common name “cedar” is one of the most confusing terms in botany, frequently applied to numerous types of aromatic wood or coniferous trees across the globe. This broad, non-scientific usage has led to significant misunderstanding regarding the actual species the name represents. The name often refers less to a specific biological classification and more to a shared property: typically a fragrant, durable wood that resists decay and insects. Clarifying this confusion requires separating the botanically defined species from the many trees that merely share the common name.
The Botanical Definition of True Cedar
The designation of a “True Cedar” belongs exclusively to trees of the genus Cedrus, which is part of the pine family, Pinaceae. This strict botanical classification recognizes only four main species, all native to the Mediterranean region and the Himalayan mountains. These species include:
- The Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani)
- The Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica)
- The Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara)
- The Cyprus Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia)
True cedars are large, evergreen conifers, typically growing to heights between 49 and 131 feet. A defining characteristic is their unique foliage structure, where the needles grow in dense, tight clusters on short, woody spurs. New needles at the tips of branches may grow singly. Their reproductive structures are distinctive, producing large, upright, barrel-shaped cones that sit on top of the branches. These seed cones do not fall intact but disintegrate while still attached to the branch to release their winged seeds.
Common Trees Misidentified as Cedar
The majority of trees commonly called “cedar” do not belong to the Cedrus genus but are classified as “false cedars.” This misapplication of the name is due to their fragrant, decay-resistant wood, which mimics the properties of true cedar timber. Nearly all North American species bearing the name cedar are actually members of the Cypress family (Cupressaceae), a different botanical group than the Pine family (Pinaceae).
The Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is a large, economically significant tree native to the Pacific Northwest. Its wood is prized for its resistance to rot and insects, which led to its common name, though it is taxonomically an arborvitae. The Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is actually a type of juniper found across eastern North America. It gained its name because its aromatic wood is commonly used for moth-repelling cedar chests and closet linings.
The Incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), native to the western United States, is a third major false cedar. It possesses aromatic wood but belongs to a genus distinct from Cedrus, Thuja, and Juniperus. Other species, such as the Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and the Port-Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), are also part of the Cupressaceae family and contribute to the confusion.
How to Identify Cedar Varieties
The most reliable way to distinguish a true cedar from a false cedar is by examining the foliage and the cones. True cedars (Cedrus) are identified by their foliage: short, stiff, needle-like leaves bundled together in dense clusters of 15 to 45 needles on short woody pegs. Their seed cones are large, typically three to five inches long, and stand rigidly upright on the branches like small barrels.
The false cedars of the Cypress family (e.g., Thuja, Juniperus, and Calocedrus) possess different foliage. Their leaves are not needles in clusters but tiny, flattened, overlapping scales that lie tightly against the branchlets, often forming flat, fern-like sprays. The cones of these false cedars are much smaller, usually less than an inch long. They can be woody, spherical, flask-shaped, or even resemble small, blue, fleshy berries, as is the case with junipers.
This difference in structure is matched by a variation in commercial use, reflecting the woods’ distinct properties. True cedar wood is dense and was historically valued for construction projects due to its durability. False cedars are prized for specific traits: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is used for outdoor siding and decking because of its decay resistance. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is used for its strong, moth-repelling scent, effective for storing fabrics.