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Chamaecyparis thyoides

Common Name(s):

Description

Chamaecyparis thyoides, also known as Atlantic White Cedar, is an evergreen tree that may grow 60 to 80 feet tall with a diameter of 2 ft.  The foliage is scale-like and blue/green in color.  The bark is fibrous with intersection flat ridges, which sometimes spiral along the stem.  It is native to freshwater swamps, bogs, streams, and wet woods along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida and along the Gulf coast from Florida to Mississippi, often growing in "glades" of the same species.  It is sometimes known as "juniper" in local coastal areas.

The Atlantic White Cedar is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.  It performs best in full sun and thrives in moist, fertile, peaty-sandy soils.  It tolerates some wet soils.  Keep this tree sheltered from strong winds.  Pruning is rarely needed.

The mature bark of the Atlantic White Cedar is reddish brown.  The fine-grained, slightly fragrant wood has excellent resistance to decay and has been used for a number of purposes including boat construction, shingles and posts.

This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  With the Atlantic White Cedar there are no serious insect or disease problems. It does have some susceptibility to juniper blight, root rot and certain insect pests such as bagworms.  This tree is frequently damaged by white tailed deer.

 

 

Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#butterflies#evergreen#wildlife plant#cover plant#playground#host#ncemgva2018#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire#high flammability#children's garden#edible garden#larval host plant
 
Chamaecyparis thyoides
F. D. Richards CC BY-SA 4.0
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Rafael Medina CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Chamaecyparis thyoides
S. Rae CC BY 4.0
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Duane Burdick CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#butterflies#evergreen#wildlife plant#cover plant#playground#host#ncemgva2018#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire#high flammability#children's garden#edible garden#larval host plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Species:
    thyoides
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    United States
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This tree provides cover for wildlife during the winter and extreme weather. It is also a larval plant for butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Tree
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    It produces yellow pollen-bearing cones which are found at the stem ends. Its seed-bearing cones form in clusters, emerging purple but maturing to brown. They are 1/4" in diameter and have a crumpled appearance.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    The Atlantic White Cedar has red-yellow male flowers and small green female flowers that mature in the spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The scale-like adult leaves and needle-like juvenile leaves of the Atlantic White Cedar are a soft blue green with white markings. The leaf is flattened, having irregular, overlapping sprays in dense bunches with sharp, pointed tips. Each scale is roughly 1/8" long.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    The light reddish-brown bark is fibrous with intersection flat ridges, which sometimes spiral along the stem. The bark easily peels off in strips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Wet Soil