FNPS Plant Database

Chamaecyparis thyoides

Atlantic white cedar

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Atlantic white cedar

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Chamaecyparis thyoides

Family:

Cupressaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

20-40 (60) ft tall by 10-20 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Evergreen. Lifespan >100 yrs (Nelson).

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree especially for moist sites.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed and softwood cuttings.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Organic

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Mammals

Provides cover for birds and mammals. 





Attracts deer and squirrels.  Deer browse can be so intense as to limit survival of saplings.

Native Habitats:

Forested seepage areas, swamps, low stream banks

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Wood was used for log cabins, floors and shingles.

General Comments:

The natural distribution in Florida is predominantly related to soil and drainage conditions.  If you provide them, it should grow successfully from Lake County northward.

Citations:

ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR (usda.gov)



Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell.  1999.  Native Florida Plants.  Gulf Publishing Company.  Houston, TX.



Huegel, Craig, N.  2010.  Native plant landscaping for Florida wildlife.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (wildlife uses)



Nelson, Gil.  2003.  Florida's Best Landscape Plants. Association of Florida Native Nurseries.



Silvical characteristics of Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) | Treesearch (usda.gov)



Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A gardener's guide to Florida's native Plants.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.



University of Tennessee Extension Service.  Desired Ph Range and salt tolerance of common nursery plants.    https://extension.tennessee.edu/mtnpi/Documents/handouts/Fertility/Desired-pH-Range-List.pdf   accessed 2021.



Watkins, John and Thomas Sheehan.  1975.  Florida Landscapt Plants, Native and Exotic. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville. (salt tolerance, soil, light)



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu /).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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