California Incense Cedar

Flicker Photo Credit: col and tasha

Calocedrus decurrens - California Incense Cedar

Origin: Western Oregon to Baja, mountain ranges from elevations of 2500 - 4000'

Character: Upright, columnar to pyramidal evergreen tree. Solid structure when young, opens up with age. Dense with  a fine texture.

Growth Rate: moderate to rapid, up to 3' per year is common, ultimate height being 75 - 100' x 15 - 30'.

Foliage: medium to dark green scale-like needles form  flattened branchlets

Flowers, Fruits and Seeds: the Incense Cedar bears both male pollen flowers and small female cones.

Environmental Preferences: full to partial sun, regular moisture, partly drought tolerant because of deep tap root, needs good drainage

Uses: accent, screen, windbrake, lawn, shade, Christmas tree, cut foliage, furniture

Pests/Diseases: most problems come from poor drainage.

Propagation: seed, cuttings

Sunset Zones: 1-12. 14-24

Comments: wood prunings smell like pencils, attractive redish stems.

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!
Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

Sacramento's Favorite Tree - The Coast Redwood

Flickr photo credit: Jason Sturner 72
Sequoia sempervirens - Coast Redwood

Origin: native to Coast Ranges from southern Oregon to the central California coast

Character: One of the West's most famous native trees, and, the tallest tree in the world. Grows rapidly, up to 5 - 10'//year. Can reach up to 350', but in the landscape, more likely to top out at 70 - 90' x 15 - 30' wide. It is very upright and columnar, growing more open with age. Most have branches that grow horizontally, extending upwards at tips.

Foliage: needles are alternate along the branchlets, stiff and pointed, extending like feathers to either side. Generally deep green, grayish beneath.

Fruit, Seed and Flower Description: 1" fruits, both male and female flowers.

Environmental Preferences: full or partial sun, moderate to regular water, complete fertilizer in the spring

Pests and Diseases: almost entirely pest free; can be sensitive to iron tie-up or deficiency which causes yellowing Handled with iron phosphates or chelates.

Sunset Zones: 4-9, 14-24

Uses: accent, specimen tree, lawn, screen or windbreak (can be planted singly or in groves, 7'+ apart), utilitarian (lumber).

Comments:  Fire resistant. Some of its cultivars include, 'Aptos Blue' (dense blue-green foliage); 'Soquel' (finely textured needles); 'Los Altos' (very deep green, with a drooping, arching branches); 'Adpressa' (a dwarf redwood that grows up to 3' tall and 6' wide, nice for a rock garden)

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!
Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.