Age: 2 yr
Size: 10-15"
Height at maturity: Typically reaches 20–40 feet (6–12 meters) as a small to medium tree, occasionally up to 60 feet (18 meters) in optimal conditions. Often grown as a dense shrub or hedge in managed landscapes, reaching 10–20 feet (3–6 meters).
Diameter: The trunk of a mature tree can reach 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) in diameter. The canopy spread is typically 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) wide for trees, or wider for unpruned shrubs.
Crown shape: Develops a dense, conical to narrowly pyramidal crown with soft, scale-like foliage. Young plants are tightly compact, while mature trees or shrubs maintain a conical or columnar form, often with a slightly broader base in open settings.
Benefits: Produces small, bell-shaped cones that provide food for wildlife, such as birds (e.g., finches) and small mammals. Offers year-round evergreen beauty, ideal for privacy screens, windbreaks, or ornamental hedging due to its dense foliage. Its aromatic wood is used for products like cedar chests and shingles, resistant to rot. Provides excellent cover for wildlife and supports forest ecosystems. Tolerates a range of conditions, including wet soils and urban environments, but may be susceptible to pests like bagworms or diseases like cedar leaf blight. Low maintenance and easily pruned for shape.
Best soil type: Prefers moist, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils (pH 6.0–8.0). Thrives in loamy or sandy soils with good moisture retention. Tolerates clay or wet soils, including swampy areas, but requires adequate drainage to avoid root rot. Performs best in full sun to partial shade.