Calocedrus decurrens
| Calocedrus decurrens | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Calocedrus decurrens (common name: incense cedar)
Propagation: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of the current season's growth, taken in mid autumn, in a light sandy soil in a cold frame[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in full sun in a moist well-drained soil that is neutral to acid, though it will also survive on dry alkaline soils[2]. Plants are shade tolerant when young[2]. It grows best in a position that is sheltered from strong winds[1].
Trees are slow growing but long-lived in the wild, with specimens up to 1000 years old recorded[3]. They grow slowly in Britain, but they are perfectly hardy[4]. Young trees can grow 60cm in a year but they seldom average more than 30cm[5]. Growth virtually stops once the tree reaches 25 metres tall[5].
All parts of the plant are strongly aromatic[6][1].
This species is strongly resistant to honey fungus[7][6].
The tree exhibits very different crown habits dependant upon the area in which it is being grown[5][2]. At one time these different habits were considered to be different sub-species, but it is recognised now that it is only climatic forces that cause the differences.
Range: South-western N. America - Oregon to California.
Habitat: Found on a variety of soils, usually on western slopes at an altitude of 700 - 2500 metres[3]. The best specimens are found on deep well-drained slightly acidic sandy loam soils[3].
Edibility: The dense leaflets have been used as a flavouring and protection when leaching acorns[8].
Medicinal: A decoction of the leaves has been used to treat stomach troubles[8].
Steam from an infusion of the leaves has been inhaled in the treatment of colds[8].
Usage: The boughs and twigs have been used to make brooms[8].
The roots have been used as overlay twine warps and overlay twine weft bases in making baskets[8].
The bark has been made into baskets[8].
Wood - soft, light, close grained, very durable in the soil though it is often damaged by dry rot[9]. It has a powerful, incense-like fragrance[1] and is used for making shingles, lathes, fencing, pencils, construction etc[10][11][7][12]. Mature trees are often infected by dry rot, so they are not considered to be a major timber species[3].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Also Known As: Heyderia decurrens. Libocedrus decurrens. Thuja gigantea. non Nutt.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.