Common Cedar Trees In Utah (5 Types To Know)
In your neighborhood or in nearby forests, you have probably noticed plenty of cedar trees. They are among the most commonly found coniferous trees in the United States, including Utah. However, none of them are native to the state.
In fact, none of the true cedars are native to North America; they were all introduced and naturalized here.
In this article, we will dive into the complete details of the five common cedar trees in Utah. Three are true cedars, and the other two have the common name cedar but are from different genera. To make your identification easier, each tree is provided with high-quality pictures.
Let’s dive right into it.
1. Deodar Cedar
- Common Name: Deodar Cedar
- Scientific Name: Cedrus deodara
- Mature Height: 40-70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native to the Himalayas
- Flowers/Cones: Seed cones held singly or in pairs; about 3″ to 4″ long and 3″ wide
- Uses: Landscaping, timber, and medicinal purposes
The Deodar Cedar, also known as Cedrus deodara, is a Himalayan endemic tree. It grows slowly to mediumly and can reach mature heights of 40 to 70 feet. The Deodar Cedar has needle clusters that can grow up to 2 inches long. The needles are identical to those found on Atlas cedar spur shoots.
The seed cones of the Deodar Cedar are held individually or in pairs. These cones can be as wide as 3 inches and as long as 4 inches. The tree is not as cold tolerant as the Atlas cedar, and its top may die back as a result of illnesses or exposure to low temperatures.
The Deodar Cedar is a lovely tree with a sweeping and graceful growth pattern. When it ages, it becomes flat-topped. It is a shade-intolerant tree that grows well in zones 7-9. However, it is doing well in various Salt Lake City areas.
Deodar Cedar is used for lumber and medicinal purposes in addition to landscaping. Its wood is valuable for furniture building, and it has medicinal characteristics that can aid in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders.
2. Atlas Cedar
- Common Name: Atlas Cedar
- Scientific Name: Cedrus atlantica
- Mature Height: Up to 40-60 feet tall
- Native/Non-Native: Native to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria
- Flowers/Cones: Seed cones upright; mature in two seasons; about 2″ to 3″ long and 2″ wide; green when young, brown at maturity.
- Uses: Excellent specimen tree with beautiful crown and good color.
The Atlas Cedar, also known as Cedrus atlantica, is a magnificent evergreen tree that can reach heights of 40-60 feet. It has rigid, evergreen needles that are bluish or dark-green in hue. The needles are 3/4″ to 1-1/2″ long, with a sharp tip, and spirally organized on fresh growth. The Atlas Cedar is indigenous to Morocco and Algeria’s Atlas Mountains.
On juvenile stems, the bark is smooth and gray, whereas older stems have dark gray-brown wrinkled bark. Atlas Cedar seed cones are straight, fir-like, and mature in two seasons. They are typically 2″ to 3″ long and 2″ wide when young, but brown when grown.
The Atlas Cedar loves warm, moist locations with deep, well-drained soils. It grows slowly to moderately and is shade intolerant. This is a superb specimen tree with a lovely crown and vibrant color. It thrives in a number of Salt Lake City areas.
3. Lebanon Cedar
- Common Name: Cedar of Lebanon
- Scientific Name: Cedrus libani
- Mature Height: Up to 130 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Non-Native
- Flowers/Cones: Seed cones held singly and about 3″ to 5″ long and 2″ to 2-1/2″ wide.
- Uses: Cedar of Lebanon is commonly used in construction, particularly for its strong and durable timber. It has fragrant wood and is also used to make essential oils.
Cedars of Lebanon are a lovely and fascinating tree that can grow to be 131 feet tall. This tree is native to the Taurus Mountains in Turkey and Lebanon and is recognized for its unusual and exotic appearance. The leaves of the Lebanon cedar resemble those of the Atlas cedar, and the seed cones are 3″ to 5″ tall and 2″ to 2-1/2″ wide.
These trees have a slower growth rate and are more cold-hardy than Deodar cedar. They are also shade-tolerant and do best in Zones 5-7. The cedar of Lebanon is an excellent specimen tree for your garden, with wide-spreading branches and dark green leaves that give it a distinct appearance. It gets flat-topped as it ages.
Aside from its aesthetic value, Cedar of Lebanon is a valuable source of lumber used in construction and furniture manufacturing due to its strong and durable wood. The tree’s fragrant wood is also used to create essential oils.
4. Incense Cedar
- Common Name: Incense-cedar
- Scientific Name: Calocedrus decurrens or Libocedrus decurrens
- Mature Height: 50 to 85 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native to mountainous areas in California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Flowers/Cones: Cones
- Uses: Wood used for pencils, bark is attractive when aged
The Incense-cedar tree is a tall evergreen tree found in the mountains of California, Oregon, and Washington. The Incense-cedar, despite its name, is not a genuine cedar. It can reach a height of 85 feet and has small, scale-like leaves that are flattened and joined in four whorls. When crushed, the leaves are dark green and fragrant. The tree has slender twigs with vertical sprays of leaves and reddish-brown bark that eventually becomes heavily furrowed.
The Incense-cedar develops cones that mature in the fall but remain on the tree throughout the winter. The cones are elongated and have six scales, five of which are visible and two of which become quite long at maturity, resembling a duck’s bill as they open. The cones are red-brown in color and might hang from the branches.
The wood, which is practically white and thin in sapwood and reddish in heartwood, is one of the unique applications of Incense-cedar. It is soft and lightweight, and is commonly used to make pencils. When the bark ages, it becomes incredibly appealing.
The Incense-cedar tree tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and is relatively heat tolerant. It grows slowly and tolerates shade, making it an excellent choice for landscaping. Although it was originally more commonly planted in Utah, it may now be found growing in the yards of 40 to 50 year-old houses, where it thrives and looks gorgeous. The tree has an arborvitae-like appearance, yet with a distinct aspect that sets it apart.
5. Northern White Cedar
- Common Name: Northern White-cedar or Eastern Arborvitae
- Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native to northeast U.S., Lake States, Appalachian Mountains, and southern Canada
- Flowers/Cones: Fruit a cone; upright; matures in one season
- Uses: Poles, railroad ties, fence posts, fencing, lumber, hedge, visual screen, windbreak, or as specimen trees
Northern White-cedar, often known as Eastern Arborvitae, is a small evergreen tree.
It features little, scale-like leaves that are flattened down the twig in pairs and range in color from yellow-green to green. The twigs are slender and coated with leaf, and they are generally arranged in flattened or drooping sprays. The tree produces upright cones that develop in a single season.
Northern White-cedars are native to the northeastern United States, the Great Lakes region, the Appalachian Mountains, and southern Canada. It is not a genuine cedar, as the name implies. The tree grows at a medium to slow rate and is medium to huge in size. It grows well in swampy places and can take some shade.
This tree is used to make poles, railroad ties, fence posts, fencing, and lumber, among other things. It can also serve as a hedge, visual screen, windbreak, or specimen tree.
It is cold hardy, although it may require protection in harsh, dry, windy conditions. This tree dislikes high temperatures and dry circumstances.
Common Cedar Trees In Utah – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s go through some of the commonly asked questions on the internet related to native and non-native cedar trees in Utah and surrounding regions.
Are there cedar trees in Utah?
Utah is not naturally home to cedar trees. While there are cedar trees in Utah, they are not native to the state. Other types of trees and vegetation dominate the state’s diverse landscape. It is worth noting, however, that some cedar tree species may be cultivated in Utah for landscaping purposes or in specific areas with favorable growing conditions.
Are juniper and cedar trees in Utah the same?
Juniper and cedar trees in Utah are often referred to interchangeably due to their similar appearances and characteristics. However, it is important to note that junipers and cedars are botanically distinct plant families. Junipers are members of the Cupressaceae family, whereas true cedars are members of the Pinaceae family’s Cedrus genus.
The most common trees in Utah that are referred to as cedars are actually junipers. The state’s two primary juniper species are the Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and the Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum). Because of their many visual similarities with true cedars, such as their evergreen foliage and dense growth habit, the term “cedar” has become colloquial.
While the junipers known as cedars in Utah are not true cedars, they are frequently grouped together due to their similar characteristics.
What are the uses of cedar trees in Utah?
Cedar trees in Utah have several practical and cultural uses. One of the most common applications is in woodworking. Cedar wood is well-known for its durability, decay resistance, and pleasant aroma, making it ideal for outdoor furniture, decking, fences, and siding. Indoor furniture, cabinets, and decorative items are also made from the wood. Cedar has cultural significance for Native American tribes in Utah, in addition to its utilitarian value. Traditionally, cedar was used to make tools, baskets, and ceremonial objects. Cedar tree aromatic branches and leaves are sometimes used in smudging rituals or to make wreaths and decorations.
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Common Cedar Trees In Utah – 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.
- Trees & Shrubs In Yard And Garden, Utah State University Extension
- Native & Non-Native Tree Identification, Utah State University Forestry Extension.
- Native Plants, Utah Native Plant Society.
- A Guide To The Trees Of Utah & Intermountain West, Book By Michael Kuhns, Utah State University Press.
