Common Names: Incense Cedar, California Incense Cedar
Incense Cedar is a tough evergreen tree that smells amazing. It comes from North America but loves the sunny weather in Perth. The leaves are soft and dark green, and they grow in flat fans. When you crush them, they smell like pencils or spicy perfume. It grows like a tall, narrow spire, so it looks very formal and neat in a big garden.
Features:
Ideal prune height range: 5-10m (can grow much taller if left alone)
pH growing conditions: 6.0 to 7.5
Shade or full sun: Full sun to part shade
Minimum pot year 5: 45L to 60L pot
Time to grow: Medium growth, hits about 5m in 10 years
These trees are very hardy once they settle in. They can handle sandy soil or clay as long as the water doesn't sit around the roots. They love a deep drink once a week in the hot Perth summer. Young trees need a bit of extra water to help their roots go deep. They are great for privacy screens because the branches grow thick and low to the ground.
Interesting Notes:
The wood is famous for making high quality pencils. It is also very rot resistant, which is why people use it for outdoor fences and chests. It does not get many bugs or diseases, making it a very easy tree to look after.
The wood is very oily and does not rot easily. People use it to build outdoor things like fences, decks, and garden beds. It can sit in the rain and sun for years without falling apart. Because it smells so good, it is also used to line chests and closets. The smell helps keep moths away from your clothes naturally.
Indigenous people have used the bark and leaves for a long time too. They used the sturdy bark to make houses and baskets. The leaves have a strong, fresh smell that works well in smudge sticks or for steaming. Some people even use the small branches for weaving.
This tree is a top pick for anyone who wants a big, fragrant tree that stays green all year.
Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.
Keywords: Incense Cedar, Calocedrus decurrens, evergreen tree Perth, fragrant garden tree, privacy screen tree, hardy conifer