13 Stately Types Of Cedar Trees | Plus Pictures & Care Tips

Cedar trees are a great choice for natural lawn care. They resist drought and their needles provide a natural mulch that suppresses weed growth.

Their oils give the air an aromatic scent, which is nice when you’re relaxing in your backyard.

What I like most about my cedar trees is that they require very little maintenance and they’re so attractive to have in front of my house.

Care Tips For Cedar Trees

When the Cedar tree is mature, all you have to do is ensure the tree has enough moisture. However, it needs a lot of attention during the seedling phase and when planting. To ensure that it does not lose water, you need to apply organic mulch up to five inches. When it comes to winter, you also have to cover the plant with landscape fabric as the drop in climate can affect them.

It would be best to practice sustained watering during winter; only water the plant when the soil is dried. You don’t have to fertilize the plant unless the ground is unhealthy. When the plant matures, it won’t need much care requirement.

You will need to do regular mulching and getting rid of dead branches. When it reaches six to eight feet, it will just start growing on its own until it is fully mature.

13 Types of Cedar trees

#1. Deodar Cedar (Cedrus Deodara)

The Deodar is a coniferous plant that is commonly known for its weeping habits. It gets its name from Devadaru, which means timber of gods. These types of trees are primarily found in gardens, parks, and other types of open spaces. They are beautiful because of their beautiful leaves that deck up any place to become very beautiful. Certain countries have even chosen this tree as their national tree.

If you want to know how to identify the Deodar Cedar, that is very simple because it has striking physical attributes. They have coniferous needles that are one to two inches long and can either be green or deep blue.

For maximum growth, it needs sandy, moist soil and exposure to sunlight. When grown properly, it can grow up to a height of forty to fifty feet.

#2. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana)

Got plenty of Eastern Red Cedar here, but this fruiting one is blowing my mind. pic.twitter.com/l8Qi9UKKRv

— Peter B Eberhardt (@whomeverett) June 2, 2021

The Eastern Red Cedar is part of the cypress family mainly grown in the United States Eastern region. The species can grow to a height of 20 to 40 meters, and on some occasions, it can grow to 100 m or more. It is known as an aromatic Type because it has a strong woody smell. It is used to make different organic oils that are mainly used for lining closets.

This Cedar tree variation is very durable and can produce different types of woods. The woods are vital in making furniture, floor woods, and even woods for siding walls. The trees oils can also be used to create medium-sized drawers that are used to prevent insect infestation. One of our favorite species of Cedar with its conical shape.

#3. Atlas Cedar (Cedrus Atlantica)

The Atlas is a coniferous tree that is very tall and can grow up to 40 to 60 feet. In diameter, it can range from five to six feet which is pretty big. It has a pyramid structure with a Silhouette that is open and large. This type of tree is mainly found in plenty at the Moroccan Atlas Mountains; it experiences a slow to medium growth, unlike others that grow faster.

If you want this tree to grow to its maximum potential, you should ensure it gets full or partial shade. The soil should be well watered and moist, and it can sustain harsh winds and drought.

However, it is more likely to be affected by pests, and you should spray them occasionally with pesticides to avoid infestations.

To boost their growth, you need to fertilize the soil with formulations and trim it when it’s young to grow appropriately. Pruning will also prevent the tree from leaf shedding, especially during snowing. The tree grows well in large areas, ensuring you plant it in an area with enough space.

#4. Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata)

The Western Red Cedar is commonly found in the Northwestern parts of Canada and the United States. It is best categorized as a Cypress tree but is touted to be a Pacific Type and belongs to the Cupressaceae family of Cedars.

This type of tree is enormous and can grow up to 200 feet or higher. In some instances, the Western Red Type can survive for many years, even more than 1000 years.

The tree has green foliage, and when the leaves are crushed, they give out a pineapple-like smell. What makes the tree even better is that it is pest and decay-resistant; its wood is used for outdoor construction.

It is mainly used for sheds, fences, sidings, and even decks. That is because no matter the weather, the wood won’t decay or be infested by insects.

#5. Cyprian Cedar (Cedrus Brevifolia)

The above is one of the unique species of the Cyprian Cedar varieties. It gets its name from the places it is mainly found: the mountainous regions of Syria, Cyprus, and Turkey. It is also called the yellow Cedar, but its tiny leaves and its umbrella-like crown distinguish it.

The Cyprian is frequently compared to Lebanon, but they both have some similarities. The Cyprian has small round leaves, while Lebanon has more elongated leaves. The Cyprian Type is an excellent species that needs enough space to grow optimally no matter the similarities and differences.

#6. Northern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis)

The Northern White Cedar is also known as the tree of life. It is available in large numbers in the Northeastern parts of the U.S. And Southeastern parts of Canada. What makes it unique is that its wood is way much lighter when compared to the Red Types.

That is why most builders like to use it because it is easy to work with. However, because it is light, that also means it is fragile and can break easily.

You, therefore, have to use tools that don’t need much power when cutting and shaping it. It can be easily identified by its thin sapwood that is creamy. Like some other Types, the Northern White is immune to pests and decay-free.

Wood from this tree is one of the top choices, especially for outdoor construction like decks, fences, and even posts.

#7. Alaska Cedar (Cupressus Nootkatensis)

The incorrectly placed Alaska cedar at our home. It’s my wife’s sacred tree. #gardenchat pic.twitter.com/FirnmNXAds

— Ronald Elardo (@Whadyacallit) May 28, 2018

The Alaska Cedar is also known as the Yellow Cedar and is mainly found in the Pacific Northwest area. Wood from this tree is very dense and robust, which is unlike other tree woods. Its striking yellow color identifies it with tight-knit rings.

The rings prove that the tree grows at a prolonged rate and takes a while before reaching full maturity.

Builders commonly use its wood to build bridges, decks, and even for interior panels. It is very famous among musicians who use it to build their music studios. It is so tough that the builders have to use powerful equipment with a solid force to strain it ideally.

That is because the wood has incredible sound quality; hence they wouldn’t have to undergo soundproofing.

8. Spanish Cedar (Cedrela Oderate)

The Spanish Cedar is commonly found in the south and central regions of Africa. It is very lightweight and a common choice among building professionals. Builders use it for different things like building tables, cabinets, and even making centerpieces.

The Above type is not easily found in the U.S and European parts, but it is the number one option for lining humidors.

The Spanish type is very versatile and durable and very easy to grow and maintain. It has beautiful natural oils and is resistant to pests and moisture, making this tree a top choice for woodworkers.

The tree has straight-lined areas that make it easy for the machines to cut through; its heartwood is brown or pink. However, as time passes, the color darkens and develops deeper hues.

#9. Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus Libani)

As the name suggests, the Lebanon Cedar is primarily grown in Lebanon and some parts of Turkey. It is the National Tree of Lebanon, and because of its popularity, other parts of the world like Afghanistan and Syria have started growing it.

It has elongated leaves that together form a pyramid-shaped structure. It can grow up to 40 meters high and are very beautiful to look at. In ancient Egypt, the Lebanon Cedar was used to make boats, making the tree have a very rich historical significance.

The wood of Lebanon has a lovely fragrance and was used in ancient times to make buildings in Israel. People around the world would travel there to get the wood because of how popular it was. It is even believed that King David use this type to build his palaces. Solomon also used it to build castles and also temples.

#10. Eastern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis)

Life is rough, mayaswell have a #nap in an eastern white #cedar tree. pic.twitter.com/FmHjVeEOiS

— Sneaky Squirrel (@SneakySquirrel7) August 22, 2013

The Eastern White Cedar is a soft type primarily found in the Southern parts of Canada and Northeastern regions of the United States. The Above tree is very precious and unique because it treats asthma, some types of convulsions, and even miscarriages.

It is not very dense, so it is not mainly used for building. However, it is susceptible to pest damage, bad weather conditions, and you have to take care of it closely.

#11. Incense Cedar (Calocedrus Decurrens)

The Incense Cedar is native to the United States and is mainly grown in Nevada, Oregon, and California. It can grow to a height of 75 feet and a base of 15 feet wide when it reaches maturity. The bark of this tree is red-maroon, and its needles are a bright green that is very attractive.

When the weather is warm, the tree exudes a powerful scent, which is called Incense. It is very tough, can withstand any weather, and even grow in poor soil. It is straightforward to grow, doesn’t need much care or even watering, and why most people choose to grow it.

#12. Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Palicourea Croceoides)

The Alaskan Yellow Cedar is unique, and it only grows in the North American Western Coastline. It has been used in making boats, string instruments, but nowadays, it is not often used due to environmental reasons.

However, due to climate changes, its natural habitat is getting destroyed daily, and its population is going down. Environmentalists are trying to figure out a way in which they can save this type from extinction.

#13. Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus Bermudiana)

It is called a Bermuda Cedar, but it is a Juniper endemic native to Bermuda. The tree covers most of the island, which at first had no problem until settlers came. Human development has immensely reduced the number of these trees, and they are almost becoming extinct.

Conclusion

The Cedar tree is essential, especially to industries, as it provides many kinds of wood for solid and long-lasting materials. It is recognized as a commercial-grade tree that is considered very important. It is very often confused with other needled trees like spruce, pine, and even juniper cousins.

If you are interested in Cedar trees, this article will be beneficial for you. Cedar trees have been confused with other types of trees for a long time, and it is crucial to know the kinds of Cedar trees. We will discuss the 13 types of Cedar trees so that you can understand them better. You will learn how they are different from each other and what makes them unique.

Cedar trees are considered valuable for many reasons, and we have discussed some of them above. There are only four species of true Cedar trees, and the others are classified as faux.

The true types are only found in the Mediterranean and the Himalayas. Cedar trees are essential for construction, and some of them are used as medications making them very valuable.