Atlantic White Cedar Tree (Chamaecyparis Thyoides) – 1 Gallon Pot

An North American native coniferous evergreen tree that prefers life on the wet side, the Atlantic White Cedar, also called the Swamp Cedar, is perfect for planting in wet areas with poor drainage, or along ponds, streams or any wet and boggy sunny sites. Growing 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, and truly impressive at maturity with a steepled crown, it makes for a fine specimen, small grouping or privacy screen. Very aromatic, compound, scaled, needle-like blue-green leaves have a strong ginger scent when crushed and often turn violet-red or brownish-red during the winter. The flowers of each sex are found on the same tree with very small male flowers being red to yellow and female flowers small and green. The flowers are followed by small, 1/4″ round cones that start out bluish-purple turning to brown. Reddish-brown deeply furrowed bark is also attractive, especially when the trunk is exposed on tree formed specimens. Unlike certain other cedars, this species does not fall victim to cedar-apple rust and its wood is extremely resistant to decay.

The Atlantic White Cedar provides cover for wildlife during the winter and extreme weather and supports the Hessel’s Hairstreak butterfly larvae.

Growing 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide with a steeple-like pyramidal form at maturity, the Atlantic White Cedar tree is ideal for use as a specimen, in small groupings or in privacy screen plantings in sites where the soil is consistently moist to boggy.  A fine addition to native plant gardens, bog gardens, butterfly gardens and bird and wildlife gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  10 to 15 feet apart for screen plantings; 30 feet or more apart for space between trees, depending on soil moisture

The Atlantic White Cedar is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained to boggy and acidic soil and full to mostly sun. It prefers an acid soil ranging between 4.0 to 6.0 on the pH scale.  Maintenance is minimal to none. Pruning isn’t necessary, however selective pruning for shaping purposes or to tree form can be done. Avoid pruning in the spring when the tree is emerging from dormancy. Prune in late winter.