6 Common Cedar Trees In Kansas (Photos & Identification)
Cedar trees can be found all over Kansas, thriving in a variety of habitats ranging from woodlands to grasslands. You can gain a better appreciation for the state’s natural diversity by understanding and identifying these trees.
In this article, we will explore six common cedar trees in Kansas, providing photos and detailed identification information to help readers easily spot and recognize these trees in the wild.
So, let’s begin.
1. Atlas Cedar
- Scientific Name: Cedrus atlantica
- Common Name(s): Atlas cedar
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet (12-18 meters)
- Native Region: Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco
- Flowers: No flowers
- Fruit: Cones with seeds
- Uses: Ornamental tree in gardens and parks, timber production, essential oils extraction.
The Atlas cedar, formally known as Cedrus atlantica, is one of the most commonly found cedar trees in Kansas. It is an evergreen tree that is found throughout the state and can grow to be 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters) tall, with a characteristic pyramidal shape and dense, bluish-green foliage.
The tree is native to Algeria and Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, but it has adapted successfully to a variety of climates, including Kansas.
The needle-like leaves of the Atlas cedar are arranged in spirals along the branches. They are around 1 inch long, delicate to the touch, and a bluish-green tint that provides aesthetic flair to any landscape. The tree’s bark is reddish-brown in color and gets furrowed and fissured with age, giving it a rugged and appealing aspect.
There are no blooms produced by the Atlas cedar. Instead, it develops seed cones. The cones are barrel-shaped and can grow to be 4 inches long. They begin green and gradually turn brown as they age. These cones are not only beautiful, but they also perform an important function in reproduction.
It is critical to supply Atlas cedar with well-draining soil and lots of sunlight when growing it in Kansas. The drought-tolerant tree is ideal for the Kansas climate. Watering regularly during dry spells is essential, especially for young trees. Pruning is only required if there are broken or crossed branches.
Because of its striking beauty and capacity to survive difficult growth circumstances, Atlas cedar is widely utilized as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks. It can be used as a focal point or in clusters to form a natural screen or windbreak.
The timber of the tree is also highly valued and utilized in a variety of woodworking projects. The essential oil derived from the wood is also utilized in fragrance and aromatherapy.
2. Deodar Cedar
- Scientific Name: Cedrus deodara
- Common Name(s): Deodar Cedar
- Mature Height: 50-70 feet (15-21 meters)
- Native Region: Himalayan region (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tibet)
- Flowers: Yellowish-green, male flowers are cylindrical, and female flowers are egg-shaped (cones)
- Fruit: Woody cones, initially green and turning brown when mature
- Uses: Landscaping, timber, aromatic wood for construction, essential oil production
The Deodar Cedar, formally known as Cedrus deodara, is a magnificent evergreen tree that can reach a mature height of 50 to 70 feet (15 to 21 meters). The Himalayan region, which includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tibet, is home to this tree. It is usually known as the Deodar Cedar.
The pyramidal shape and spreading branches of the Deodar Cedar give it a distinct appearance. The needle-like leaves are 1 to 2 inches long and grouped in clusters on short stalks. The tree’s bark is reddish-brown in color and exfoliates in strips or flakes.
The blossoms of the Deodar Cedar are yellowish-green in color. Male blooms are cylindrical, whilst female blossoms are egg-shaped and grow into woody cones. These cones start out green and eventually become brown. They have seeds that are distributed by the wind.
The Deodar Cedar can be planted as an outdoor tree in Kansas landscapes. It prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to light shade. Once grown, it is drought-tolerant but requires regular watering, especially during hot and dry months. It gives year-round beauty to the landscape as an evergreen.
Because of its graceful form and gorgeous foliage, the Deodar Cedar is often utilized in landscaping. It can be used as a focal point in gardens or as a windbreak by planting it in rows. Its timber is highly regarded for its durability and is used in the construction industry. The aromatic wood is also used to make furniture, doors, and other decorative items. The essential oil extracted from the wood is also utilized in perfumes and aromatherapy.
3. Cedar Of Lebanon
- Scientific Name: Cedrus libani
- Common Name(s): Cedar of Lebanon
- Mature Height: 80-130 feet (24-40 meters)
- Native Region: Middle East (Lebanon and Turkey)
- Flowers: No flowers
- Fruit: Cone-shaped fruits
- Uses: The wood from the Cedar of Lebanon is durable and has a pleasant aroma, making it popular for construction, paneling, and furniture. It is also used for its essential oil, which has various therapeutic properties.
The Lebanon Cedars are the tallest cedar trees in Kansas. It is a magnificent evergreen tree recognized for its size and striking look. It has a conical shape and can reach heights of 80 to 130 feet (24 to 40 meters). The tree has tightly packed, dark green needles that can grow to be an inch long. These needles contrast beautifully with the reddish-brown bark, which exfoliates in long, vertical stripes.
The Cedar of Lebanon is native to the Middle East, notably Lebanon and Turkey, and flourishes in a Mediterranean environment. It grows in mountainous places up to 6,000 feet in height in its native range. The tree prefers well-drained soil and direct sunlight.
While the Cedar of Lebanon does not bloom, it does bear cone-shaped fruits. When grown, these cones are roughly 3 to 4 inches long and brown in color. Small flying seeds can be found inside the cones.
The Cedar of Lebanon can be grown as a majestic specimen tree in Kansas landscapes. Its majesty and eye-catching appearance make it an excellent complement to large gardens or parks. Well-drained soil and enough spacing should be provided to accommodate its mature size. It must also be protected from high winter winds.
Cedar of Lebanon wood is highly appreciated for its longevity and resistance to rot. It is frequently used in buildings, particularly for siding, decking, and fencing.
Because of its lovely, aromatic characteristics, the wood is very popular for paneling and furniture. Furthermore, the essential oil of the tree has a variety of medicinal applications, including aromatherapy, and is used as an ingredient in fragrances and soaps.
4. California Incense Cedar
- Scientific Name: Calocedrus decurrens
- Common Name(s): California Incense Cedar
- Mature Height: 70-100 feet (21-30 meters)
- Native Region: Western North America (specifically California and Oregon)
- Flowers: No Flowers
- Fruit: Small, woody cones
- Uses: The wood of the California Incense Cedar is highly valued for its fine grain and resistance to decay, making it ideal for constructing outdoor furniture, fences, and shingles. It is also commonly used in the production of pencils and as decorative paneling.
Calocedrus decurrens, often known as California Incense Cedar, is a coniferous tree endemic to western North America, notably California and Oregon. It is a tall, evergreen tree that can reach maturity heights of 70 to 100 feet (21 to 30 meters).
The tree has a conical shape and dense foliage, with widely distributed branches. The reddish-brown bark of the California Incense Cedar becomes fibrous and peels off in large strips.
California Incense Cedar leaves are scale-like and densely packed on the branches, giving the tree a dense and feathery appearance. When crushed, the leaves is a dark green hue and releases a nice scent, hence the name “Incense Cedar.” Despite its name, however, the tree does not produce flowers. It instead develops little, woody cones containing the tree’s seeds.
The California Incense Cedar is found in hilly places with well-drained soil in its natural habitat. It grows well in temperate climates and is frequently found growing with other conifers like Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine. It may grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy and rocky soils.
The California Incense Cedar can be grown as an ornamental tree in Kansas landscapes, offering a distinctive and stunning focal point. It is suitable for use in both outside landscapes and big gardens, as well as container plants for interior or patio usage. This tree prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Watering is required on a regular basis during the establishment phase, but once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant.
The California Incense Cedar trees in Kansas offer a wide range of applications due to their fine-grained, long-lasting wood. It is widely utilized in the construction industry to manufacture outdoor furniture, fences, and shingles. Because it is easier to cut and sharpen, high-quality wood is also preferred for the production of pencils. Furthermore, the wood’s rot-resistant characteristics make it perfect for decorative paneling in homes and other buildings.
5. Atlantic White Cedar
- Scientific Name: Chamaecyparis thyoides
- Common Name(s): Atlantic White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, Swamp Cedar
- Mature Height: 40-75 feet (12-23 meters)
- Native Region: Eastern United States (primarily in the Atlantic coastal plain)
- Flowers: No Flowers
- Fruit: Small, spherical cones
- Uses: Used for lumber, shingles, fencing, boatbuilding, and landscaping.
The Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is a medium-sized evergreen tree that grows to a height of 40-75 feet (12-23 meters). This tree is native to the eastern United States, namely the Atlantic coastal plain.
The Atlantic White Cedar has narrow, scale-like leaves that are green on top and grayish-green on the bottom. This tree’s limbs are tightly covered, giving a little, pyramidal shape. The tree’s bark is reddish-brown with a stringy feel.
The Atlantic White Cedar is commonly found in swampy places, wetlands, and along riverbanks. It grows well in poorly drained soils with a high moisture content.
Flowering is not a distinguishing characteristic of the Atlantic White Cedar because it does not produce spectacular flowers. It does, however, produce small, spherical cones containing the tree’s seeds.
The local climate must be considered when caring for Atlantic White Cedar trees in Kansas settings. This tree grows best in locations with high humidity and moist soil. It may grow in a variety of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. In Kansas, it is best to grow this tree in well-draining soil and water it on a regular basis, especially during dry months. It is also necessary to give some protection from severe gusts, as the tree’s branches can snap.
The Atlantic White Cedar has a variety of functional and decorative functions, making it an important tree in Kansas settings. Because of its straight grain and natural resistance to rot, it is often used for timber and shingles. It is also used in fencing, boatbuilding, and a variety of landscaping applications. It is often used in wetland restoration efforts to stabilize soil and offer habitat for wildlife. It can be planted as a display tree in bigger landscapes.
6. Eastern Red Cedar
- Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana
- Common Name(s): Eastern Red Cedar
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet (12-18 meters)
- Native Region: Eastern North America
- Flowers: No Flowers
- Fruit: Small blue to black berries
- Uses: It is commonly used for windbreaks, privacy screens, and as a landscaping tree. The wood is also used for making furniture, cedar chests, and other durable wooden products.
The Eastern Red Cedar, also known scientifically as Juniperus virginiana, is oneof the most commonly found native cedar trees in Kansas. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can grow to be 40-60 feet (12-18 meters) tall when mature. This cedar is indigenous to Eastern North America.
Eastern Red Cedar trees have a dense, pyramidal appearance with spreading branches. Its foliage is composed of scale-like dark green leaves that give the tree a thick appearance. The tree’s bark is reddish-brown in color and exfoliates in short, fibrous strips.
The Eastern Red Cedar has a native range that extends across the eastern and central United States. It thrives in a wide range of settings, including open forests, prairies, and abandoned fields. It is reported to grow in a variety of soil types, including well-drained, rocky, or sandy soils.
Eastern Red Cedars are dioecious, meaning they have male and female trees. Male trees have little yellowish-brown cones, and female trees have small blue to black berries. These berries are a significant source of food for birds and small mammals.
Eastern Red Cedars are extensively employed in Kansas landscapes as windbreaks and privacy screens. They are well-known for their capacity to resist extreme weather conditions such as drought and high winds. It is advised that trees planted as a windbreak be spaced 12-15 feet apart for maximum wind protection.
In terms of care, Eastern Red Cedars enjoy well-drained soils and full sun-to-light shade. They are low-maintenance trees that don’t require much pruning. However, it is critical to keep an eye out for cedar-apple rust, a fungal disease that can harm Eastern Red Cedar trees in Kansas, especially if they are planted near apple or crabapple trees. Regular inspections and the quick removal of affected branches can aid in the prevention of the disease’s spread.
Eastern Red Cedars have commercial value in addition to their usage as windbreaks. The aromatic wood is extremely robust and resistant to decay, making it ideal for outdoor furniture, posts, and other wooden products. Furthermore, the wood is often utilized in the manufacture of cedar chests, which are famed for their capacity to repel insects and protect important objects.
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Common Cedar Trees In Kansas – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Recommended Plants & Trees For Kansas, Kansas State University
- Native Tree Identification, Kansas Native Plant Society
- Discover Kansas Forests, Kansas Forest Service
- Preferred Trees for Southwest Kansas, Kansas State University
