How to Identify Cedar Trees: A Comprehensive Guide

Unlock the secrets of identifying true and false cedars with expert tips, regional insights, and species comparisons.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Unlock the secrets of identifying true and false cedars with expert tips, regional insights, and species comparisons.

Cedar trees are some of the world’s most iconic and beloved evergreens. They have adorned ancient temples, shielded North American forests, and lined gardens with their stately forms and fragrant wood. Despite sharing the name “cedar,” not all cedar trees are botanically related, which can make identification confusing for nature enthusiasts, gardeners, and homeowners. This guide explores how to distinguish true cedars from their lookalike cousins—known as false cedars—and provides detailed descriptions of major species so that anyone can confidently identify cedars in the wild or the landscape.

What Is a Cedar Tree?

The term “cedar” is used for various evergreen conifers valued for their needle-like leaves, aromatic wood, and hardy nature. However, botanically true cedars are classified only within the genus Cedrus (family Pinaceae), native to the Himalayas and the Mediterranean. Many North American and Asian trees popularly called “cedars” are actually false cedars—separate genera that resemble true cedars in appearance or wood quality, but are unrelated.

True cedars (Cedrus): Native to the Old World.
False cedars (various genera): Native to North America and East Asia, often from the cypress family (Cupressaceae).

Why Correct Identification Matters

Knowing whether a tree is a true cedar or a false cedar can affect its horticultural care, wood uses, and even cultural significance. Accurate identification also helps arborists, gardeners, and homeowners choose suitable species for their climate and landscape needs.

The Difference Between True Cedars and False Cedars

Many trees in North America and Asia are called “cedar” due to superficial similarities with true cedars. However, they belong to different genera, often Thuja, Chamaecyparis, or Juniperus. Here’s how to distinguish true cedars from their lookalikes:

Characteristic	True Cedars (Cedrus)	False Cedars (e.g., Thuja, Chamaecyparis, Juniperus)
Native Range	Mediterranean & Himalayas	North America & East Asia
Leaf Structure	Needles in clusters (whorls); soft, flexible	Scale-like or awl-shaped; overlapping
Cone Shape	Large, upright barrel-shaped cones	Smaller, woody, or berry-like cones, often pendulous
Botanical Family	Pinaceae	Cupressaceae
Bark	Thick, fissured, or peeling	Shredding, thin, or stringy
Wood Aroma	Distinct, spicy fragrance	Variable; western red cedar is pungent, some less aromatic

Major Types of Cedar Trees

True Cedars: The Cedrus Genus

True cedars are majestic evergreens with whorled needles, barrel-shaped cones, and aromatic wood. Key species include:

Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica): Native to North Africa’s Atlas Mountains, noted for blue-green needles and upright cones.
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani): Iconic, broad-spreading tree with level branches and historical significance in ancient building.
Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara): Characterized by graceful, drooping branches and soft, bluish-green needles; native to the western Himalayas.
Cyprian Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia): A rare, smaller relative with dense foliage and upright cones.

True cedar identification tips:

Look for needle clusters attached in dense whorls on short shoots.
Check for large, upright, barrel-shaped cones perched atop branches.
Bark is usually fissured or scaly; wood has a spicy, resinous aroma.

False Cedars of North America

Most “cedars” in North America are false cedars from the cypress family (Cupressaceae). They include:

Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis): Also known as Eastern arborvitae; native to northeastern US and Canada; dense, scale-like leaves; small, oval cones.
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata): Iconic of Pacific Northwest rainforests; giant conifer with stringy, reddish bark and fragrant wood.
Alaska Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis, formerly Chamaecyparis): Broad, weeping branches, blue-green leaves, and reddish bark that peels in strips.
Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana): Native to Oregon and northern California; conical with lacy, blue-green foliage.
Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens): Tall, columnar, with flattened sprays of foliage and aromatic wood, native to the western US.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana): Technically a juniper, this small, fragrant tree has prickly, blue-green leaves and blue, berry-like cones.

How to Recognize Cedar Trees by Appearance

Each group of cedars (true and false) exhibits distinct physical features. Here are the main traits to check:

Foliage Pattern

True cedars: Needles in spiraled bundles or whorls; soft, flexible; blue, green, or silvery.
False cedars: Scale-like leaves pressed to the stem, forming flattened sprays or fans; in some junipers (like eastern red cedar), prickly and awl-shaped.

Bark Characteristics

True cedars: Thick, furrowed, or fissured bark; grayish to brown color; peels in plates with age.
False cedars: Fibrous, shredding, or stringy; western red cedar peels in long strips, northern white cedar is ridged and grayish-brown, Alaska cedar reveals reddish inner wood.

Cone and Seed Structure

True cedars: Robust, upright, barrel-shaped cones sit on top of branches; scales break apart at maturity to release seeds.
False cedars: Small, slender cones hang or sit among foliage; often less ornamental; some (eastern red cedar) have blue, fleshy, berry-like cones (actually modified cones).

Identifying Cedar Trees by Region

Cedar species reflect their native environments. Understanding where a cedar grows can help narrow down its species.

Mediterranean and Himalayas: Look for true cedars such as Atlas, Lebanon, and Deodar cedar.
North America:
- Pacific Northwest: Western red cedar, Alaska cedar, Port Orford cedar, Incense cedar.
- Northern US and Canada: Northern white cedar.
- Eastern United States: Eastern red cedar.

Notable Cedar Species: At a Glance

Common Name	Botanical Name	Native Region	Key Features
Deodar Cedar	Cedrus deodara	Himalayas	Drooping branches; bluish-green needles; upright cones
Atlas Cedar	Cedrus atlantica	North Africa	Blue-green needles; upright branching; large cones
Cedar of Lebanon	Cedrus libani	Eastern Mediterranean	Wide, horizontal branches; thick bark; historic timber
Northern White Cedar	Thuja occidentalis	Northeastern US, Canada	Scale-like leaves; small cones; resilient in wet and dry soils
Western Red Cedar	Thuja plicata	Pacific Northwest	Towering height; reddish, shredding bark; aromatic wood
Alaska Cedar	Callitropsis nootkatensis	Alaska & Pacific Northwest	Weeping branches; blue-green, glossy foliage; peeling bark
Eastern Red Cedar	Juniperus virginiana	Eastern US	Prickly leaves; blue berry-like cones; fragrant wood

Gardening and Landscape Uses

Cedar trees are prized for their beauty, resilience, and versatility. Their roles in landscape design and practical applications are diverse:

Windbreaks and screens: Tall, dense forms provide effective privacy barriers and wind protection.
Ornamental plantings: The distinct shape and color of true and false cedars create dramatic focal points in gardens and parks.
Wildlife value: Many birds and mammals rely on cedar foliage and cones for food and shelter.
Cedar wood: Naturally insect-repellent and decay-resistant; commonly used for fencing, shingles, chests, and outdoor furniture.

How to Care for Cedar Trees

Proper planting and care ensure cedars thrive for decades:

Sunlight: Most prefer full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. Mulch moderates moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Watering: Young trees need regular watering; mature ones tolerate short droughts but resent waterlogged soil.
Pruning: Prune to shape or remove dead branches; avoid excessive trimming which can deform natural growth.
Pests and disease: Generally resistant, but some are vulnerable to root rot, bagworms, or cedar rust fungi.

Cedar Identification Quick Reference

Needles in spiral clusters & upright cones: True cedars (Cedrus)
Scale-like or prickly leaves & small or berry-like cones: False cedars (Thuja, Juniperus)
Pungent, reddish bark that peels: Western red cedar, Alaska cedar
Thin, gray bark with ridges: Northern white cedar
Intense spicy fragrance: True cedars and some false cedars

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cedar Trees

Q: What is the difference between a cedar and an arborvitae?

A: Arborvitae (Thuja spp.) are native to North America and Asia and are called “cedar” in the nursery trade, but they are not true cedars. True cedars belong only to the genus Cedrus, and have distinct whorled needles and upright cones.

Q: Can cedar trees be grown from cuttings?

A: Many false cedars, such as northern white cedar, can be propagated from cuttings. True cedars are less commonly grown this way; they are usually started from seed.

Q: How can I tell if my tree is a true cedar?

A: Check for needles in dense clusters, upright barrel-shaped cones, and a spicy wood aroma. If the tree has flat, scale-like foliage and tiny cones, it is likely a false cedar.

Q: Are all cedars suitable for wet soils?

A: Northern white cedar is tolerant of wet sites, but most true cedars and many false cedars require well-drained conditions to avoid root rot.

Q: Why are so many different trees called ‘cedar’?

A: Early European settlers in North America named local evergreens “cedar” because of their aromatic wood and needle-like leaves, drawing comparisons to the true cedars they knew from the Old World. The tradition stuck, though the species differ in botany.

How to Identify Cedar Trees: A Comprehensive Guide