The term “cedar” is frequently misapplied, creating confusion about where these conifers actually grow. True cedars belong exclusively to the genus Cedrus, a group of large, aromatic, evergreen trees within the Pine family, Pinaceae. These trees are characterized by their barrel-shaped, erect cones and their needle-like leaves clustered on short spur shoots. While the name “cedar” is commonly used for many unrelated North American species, the native range of the genuine Cedrus species is remarkably small, confined entirely to high-altitude regions of the Old World.
The Ancient Homelands of True Cedars
The four recognized species of true cedars have native distributions that are geographically isolated from one another, stretching across mountainous terrain in the Mediterranean and the Himalayas. This discontinuous range means that naturally growing cedar forests are restricted to three distinct regions in Eurasia and North Africa.
The Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus libani) is found natively in the mountainous regions of Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, often growing at elevations between 1,300 and 2,100 meters. This historically significant tree now exists in vulnerable, protected stands, such as the Cedars of God in Lebanon. The Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is indigenous to the Atlas and Riff Mountains of Morocco and Algeria in North Africa, thriving at high montane elevations, generally between 1,000 and 2,000 meters.
The Cyprus Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) is endemic to the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus, marking an extremely small native range in the central part of the island. The Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) is native to the Western Himalayas. Its territory spans Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, growing in the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Indian Himalayan mountain ranges.
Where Cedars Thrive as Cultivated Trees
While their native forests are confined to specific Old World mountain ranges, true cedars are cultivated widely across the globe for their ornamental value. These conifers are prized landscape specimens in parks, estates, and arboreta throughout Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
For successful cultivation, all Cedrus species require abundant sunlight and prefer well-drained soil. They adapt well to temperate climates and are commonly hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 9, though some hardy cultivars can tolerate Zone 5 conditions. The Atlas Cedar, in particular, is noted for its ability to tolerate urban conditions and air pollution better than its relatives.
The Deodar Cedar, which naturally occurs in the Western Himalayas, is well-suited for cultivation in areas with higher humidity and summer rainfall, such as the Pacific Northwest or the American South. In contrast, the Mediterranean species, like the Cedar of Lebanon, tend to thrive in drier areas, such as parts of California and Texas. Gardeners must ensure the soil is deep and loamy, as true cedars struggle in poorly drained or waterlogged sites due to their susceptibility to root rot.
North American Trees Commonly Called Cedars
The majority of trees called “cedar” in North America are not members of the Cedrus genus at all, but belong to other genera in the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). This common misnomer stems from the aromatic, durable wood these trees share with the true cedars. Understanding these “false cedars” is essential for comprehending their distribution in the Western Hemisphere.
One of the most widespread is the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), which is actually a type of juniper. Its extensive native range covers the entire eastern half of the United States, stretching from southeastern Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico and west to the Great Plains. This adaptable tree can be found in 37 states, growing in diverse habitats from dry, rocky soil to marshy wetlands.
Along the Pacific coast, the Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) belongs to the genus Thuja, or Arborvitae. This towering conifer is native to the Pacific Northwest, extending from the Alaska Panhandle through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, and reaching into northern California. It also has an inland distribution along the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains in areas like Idaho and Montana, preferring moist, maritime climates.
The Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is a species of false-cypress found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. Its native distribution runs from southern Maine down to Florida and west to Mississippi, where it grows almost exclusively in acidic, freshwater swamps and bogs.
The Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) is a western species found primarily in the montane forests of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges. Its range extends from central western Oregon, south through most of California, and into western Nevada and northern Baja California, Mexico.