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How to Grow Columnar Incense Cedar

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Columnar Incense Cedar

Calocedrus decurrens 'Columnaris'

tree

A narrow, columnar cultivar of incense cedar featuring dense, feathery, scale-like foliage with a distinctive conical form. This ornamental conifer grows upright and compact, making it ideal for limited spaces and adding vertical interest to landscapes. It produces small, flattened cones and emits a pleasant, aromatic fragrance when foliage is crushed.

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Example Columnar Incense Cedar timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Columnar Incense Cedar

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Columnar Incense Cedar

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Columnar Incense Cedar dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade but best form in full sun
💧
Water: Moderate watering when establishing; drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply but infrequently. Avoid waterlogged soil. In dry climates, occasional deep watering during extended drought.
📏
Spacing: 36-48 inches between plants; depends on mature width expectations inches
📅
Days to maturity: Mature form reached in 15-20 years; noticeable ornamental form within 5-7 years
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at same depth as nursery container; top of root ball level with ground surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil; tolerates poor soil
pH: 5.5-7.5
Amendments:
Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Organic compost (minimal) Mulch for moisture retention and root cooling

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 6-9; marginally hardy in zone 5b with protection

5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment (Year 1)

12 months

Young plant focuses on root development with minimal height growth. Foliage is bright green and dense; tree maintains compact columnar form.

Water regularly during first growing season to establish deep roots. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates. Stake if needed in windy locations. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base.

2

Vegetative Growth (Years 2-5)

4 years

Steady upright growth with increasing height and minimal width expansion. Foliage deepens to rich green; branching becomes more prominent.

Reduce watering frequency as tree establishes. No pruning needed unless correcting damage or shaping. Monitor for pest issues. Light fertilization in spring optional.

3

Maturation (Years 6-15)

10 years

Tree reaches most of its mature height (20-30 feet) while maintaining narrow columnar form. Foliage is dense and full; branching structure well-defined.

Water during extended dry periods. Minimal pruning; remove dead wood or crossing branches only. No fertilizer needed if soil adequate. Foliage produces aromatic oils.

4

Cone Production (Years 5+)

Ongoing from year 5 onward

Small, oblong cones develop among the foliage, typically 1 inch long. Cones mature from green to brown.

No special care needed. Cones provide ornamental interest and seed for wildlife. Trees do not require pollination from other trees.

5

Full Maturity (Year 15+)

Indefinite; can live 100+ years

Tree reaches 20-35 feet tall with 3-8 feet width, maintaining perfect columnar silhouette. Foliage is thick, fragrant, and deep green to blue-green.

Minimal maintenance required. Water during severe drought. No pruning unless for safety or storm damage. Enjoy the vertical accent and fragrance in the landscape.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Dwarf Alberta spruce Japanese maple Eastern redcedar Boxwood Juniper Ornamental grasses (Miscanthus, Panicum) Sedums and stonecrop Coneflowers Black-eyed Susans

Avoid planting near:

Trees competing for space (limit to 3+ feet from other columnar forms) Shallow-rooted trees that may crowd it Salt-accumulating plants if drainage is poor

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil in severe cases. Maintain adequate moisture to reduce stress.

  • Prune affected branches; apply dormant oil spray in late winter or use horticultural oil in growing season.

  • Keep tree healthy and well-watered to resist attack. Remove heavily infested branches. No chemical control effective once established.

  • Minor damage acceptable; remove infested tips. Maintain tree vigor. Insecticide spray rarely needed.

  • Install fencing or use deer repellents if browsing occurs. Generally not preferred by deer.

Uses

🏠

Aromatic Cedar Fragrance

Household

Crushed foliage and wood emit a pleasant, warm, spicy-sweet incense-like aroma used in dried arrangements, potpourri, and closet fresheners. The essential oils provide natural insect-repelling properties. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Habitat & Food

Wildlife

Dense columnar form provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small animals. Cones and seeds are eaten by goldfinches, chickadees, and other songbirds. [source]

🎨

Woodworking & Aromatic Wood

Craft

Incense cedar wood is highly aromatic, durable, and traditionally used for pencil-making, storage boxes, and carved items. Mature trees can be harvested for specialty wood products. [source]

🍳

Herbal Tea & Flavoring

Culinary

Traditionally, very small amounts of incense cedar foliage have been used to steep mild herbal teas with a spicy, woodsy flavor. Use sparingly as it is potent and resinous. [source]

🏠

Ornamental Vertical Accent

Household

Narrow columnar form is ideal for defining property lines, creating screens, framing entries, or adding architectural interest without consuming landscape space. Maintains shape without staking after establishment. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not typically harvested; grown as ornamental. If collecting cones for seed or decoration, gather in fall when brown and dry. Foliage can be lightly pruned for fresh fragrant clippings; avoid removing more than 10-15% of canopy in any year.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Despite its common name 'incense cedar,' Calocedrus decurrens is not a true cedar (genus Cedrus) but rather a cypress relative; the name references the incense-like aroma of the wood and foliage.
  • 🌱 The tree is native to a small range in California and Oregon, growing in mixed conifer forests at elevations of 2,000-6,000 feet, yet it adapts well to cultivation across the eastern and central United States.
  • 🌱 The columnar cultivar is ideal for small gardens and urban landscapes because it grows 20-35 feet tall but only 3-8 feet wide—far narrower than the species form which can be 40-60 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Pollination
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