Calocedrus, the incense-cedars, are well known in California. Our native California incense-cedar, C. decurrens, is common in mountainous areas from Oregon to Northern Mexico. It is particularly abundant in the Sierra Nevadas. The other three species, native to Asia, are poorly known in the US.
C. decurrens has many attractive features, including its thick, red bark, drought and fire resistance, pleasant aroma, and large size. In recent years, some have advocated its use as a replacement for the coast redwood because of the latter's high water usage.
However, while incense-cedars do require less water, in our area they grow slowly and tend to become disfigured with branch cankers as they age. For this reason, I feel they are not much of an improvement.
C. decurrens has many attractive features, including its thick, red bark, drought and fire resistance, pleasant aroma, and large size. In recent years, some have advocated its use as a replacement for the coast redwood because of the latter's high water usage.
However, while incense-cedars do require less water, in our area they grow slowly and tend to become disfigured with branch cankers as they age. For this reason, I feel they are not much of an improvement.