Port-Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)
(click on each photo to enlarge image)
- Needles: Scale-like and appressed to twig. Undersides bear a distinct, white "X" pattern.
- Fruit: Small, round, woody cones less than 1/2" diameter.
- Bark: Brown, fibrous, and ridged. Thicker than the bark of other false cedars.
- Distribution: Restricted range extends from Coos Bay in southwestern Oregon southward to the Klamath River in northwestern California. Occurs near the coast and inland on seaward slopes up to 5,600 ft. (1,700 m).
For more information about this species, see p. 18 of "Trees to Know in Oregon".
Alaska-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)
(click on each photo to enlarge image)
- Needles: Scale-like and appressed to twig, but with flaring tips. No white pattern on undersides.
- Fruit: Small, round, woody cones less than 1/2" diameter; similar to Port-Orford cedar's.
- Bark: Gray and stringy; often pulling away from tree.
- Distribution: Range from southeastern Alaska to Oregon in cool, humid climates. Usually are found at 1,900-8,200 ft. (650-2,500 m)--at high elevations the trees are low shrubs.
For more information about this species, see p. 19 of "Trees to Know in Oregon".
