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Chamaecyparis thyoides is often confused with:
Thuja occidentalis Thuja occidentalis
Native alternative(s) for Chamaecyparis thyoides:
Juniperus communis var. depressa Juniperus comunis var. depressa
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hibiscus moscheutos Native habitat
Ilex opaca Ilex opaca
Quercus phellos Quercus phellos
Chamaecyparis thyoides has some common insect problems:
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes

White Cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides

Previously known as:

  • Chamaecyparis henryae
  • Chamaecyparis thyoides var. henryae
  • Chamaecyparis thyoides var. thyoides
  • Cupressus thyoides
Phonetic Spelling
kam-ee-SIP-a-riss thy-OY-deez
Description

Atlantic white cedar is a woody, needled evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family that may grow 60 to 80 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide with a conical form. It is native to the eastern United States. The genus name derives from the Greek word chamai, for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos, for cypress.

Atlantic white cedar prefers sandy, peaty, moist to wet, acidic soil in full sun to part shade and tends to grow on a small mound, with water pooling in the depression surrounding it. In North Carolina it is found in the coastal plain along bogs, streams, swamps, and other wet sites. It tends to be the dominant species in wet forests. Propagate this plant by seed or stem cutting. 

Use this plant in wet areas with poor drainage, or along ponds, streams, or boggy sites. Include it in butterfly, pollinator, or rain gardens. It provides cover for wildlife and is a larval host plant for butterflies. Planted in small groups it makes an effective privacy screen.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  It has some susceptibility to juniper blight, root rot, and certain insect pests such as bagworms. See Clemson's publication on root rot. This tree is frequently damaged by deer in the winter.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

Additional video Chamaecyparis Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Chamaecyparis.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Small Water Features
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Barton', 'Ericoides', 'Heatherbun', 'Rariflora', 'Rubicon', 'Shiva'
Tags:
#evergreen#native tree#cover plant#low maintenance#riparian#wetlands#stream banks#ncemgva2018#highly beneficial coastal plants#NC native#deer browsing plant#children's garden#playground plant#pollinator plant#edible garden#larval host plant#evergreen tree#exfoliating bark#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#hessel’s hairstreak butterfly#food source winter#landscape plant sleuths course#boggy sites#wildlife friendly#hs303#illustration
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Barton', 'Ericoides', 'Heatherbun', 'Rariflora', 'Rubicon', 'Shiva'
Tags:
#evergreen#native tree#cover plant#low maintenance#riparian#wetlands#stream banks#ncemgva2018#highly beneficial coastal plants#NC native#deer browsing plant#children's garden#playground plant#pollinator plant#edible garden#larval host plant#evergreen tree#exfoliating bark#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#hessel’s hairstreak butterfly#food source winter#landscape plant sleuths course#boggy sites#wildlife friendly#hs303#illustration
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Species:
    thyoides
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Wood is used to make shingles, posts and boats.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A
    Distribution:
    AL , CT , DE , FL , GA , MA , MD , ME , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , PA , RI , SC , VA
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This tree provides cover for wildlife during the winter and extreme weather. This plant supports Hessel's Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli) larvae. The Hessel's Hairstreak butterflies have 1-2 flights. In late May, one flight will occur in the northern states of New England. In April to July, two flights will occur in the southern states. Deer browse on this plant in the winter.
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Edibility:
    Edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 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 Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    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:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    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 are a soft green to blue-green with conspicuous resinous glands. 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:
    Exfoliating
    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 Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    Branchlets are brown, terete or rhombic in cross-section, in fan-shaped sprays, covered in leaves
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil