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| ## atlantic white cedar {#atlantic-white-cedar .Title-Header}         |
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| *Chamaecyparis thyoides* (L.) B.S.P.                                  |
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| Plant Symbol = CHTH2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS New York State Office

![Color image of Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis
thyoides)](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.0208661417322835in"
height="3.0311023622047246in"}

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##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Buffers*: Atlantic white cedar is not often used due to its exacting
site requirements, but has potential for use on coastal buffer sites, in
wetlands, and for re-creating cedar swamps.

*Wildlife*: This species is a highly preferred food of deer during
winter stress periods. It can easily be browsed out as seedlings or
saplings with extensive damage done.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Atlantic white cedar is one of only six species in this genus. Only
three of the six are native to the continent, and two of them are west
coast species. This leaves Atlantic white cedar as the only
representative in the East, where it occurs in a narrow band along the
Atlantic coast. Atlantic white cedar is an evergreen with scaly leaves
that occur in a flat fern-like appearance. This species usually grows in
very dense, solid stands, and has small rounded cones.

However, Atlantic white cedar can be confused with arborvitae (also
called northern white cedar -*Thuja occidentalis*) which also occurs in
the region where the ranges overlap in New York and New England. In
Atlantic white cedar, the evergreen leaves are paired and have short
points on the tip. Arborvitae has leaves that are more rounded-appearing
to the naked eye but also have short points when viewed closely or with
a lens. Arborvitae has cones of similar size but are more elongated than
those of Atlantic white cedar.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Atlantic white cedar is adapted to acid (pH 5.5 or lower), wet, lowland
sites within 200 feet elevation of seas level. The growing season is
about 140 days or longer. The habitat of this species is very limited,
and increasingly rare due to coastal development. Associated trees
include red maple, black gum, white pine, hemlock, gray birch, and pitch
pine. Associated shrubs include lowbush and highbush blueberry. The
great range in latitude that white cedar occupies (from Maine to
Florida) helps account for the broad species association.

Arborvitae has a much broader longitudinal and elevational range, and is
adapted to soils that are slightly acid to alkaline. Arborvitae grows on
upland and lowland sites, and in areas with growing seasons as short as
30 days up to 200 days.

Both species can be grown on wet, lowland sites with moderate acidity.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Due to the dense stands which white cedar often creates, it should not
be surprising that 8-9 million seeds per acre may be disbursed in a
decent seed crop. These seeds are winged and very light, and may be
carried long distances by strong winds. Seed dormancy is common and seed
can remain viable in the forest litter for many years. Light and
moisture are required for germination to occur, and continuous moisture
appears to be mandatory. Seedlings grow to saplings at the rate of about
12 inches per year on favorable sites with open but moist conditions.
Seedlings are very vulnerable to crowding from other species.

White cedar seedlings are not commonly grown in the nursery, so little
is documented about the size and age of transplants. It is likely that
the 1-0 class would be preferred as bare-root stock. White cedar has a
shallow root system, so suitable planting sites must have abundant
moisture very close to the surface.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Site selection is critical to the success of white cedar. Moisture must
be reliable, and competition from other species must be controlled. The
site must also have protection from high winds or else severe wind-throw
will result. Fire will readily kill white cedar if it gets into the
crowns. Finally, heavy ice and snow will often break or topple young
trees. Deer will preferentially browse white cedar. Beaver presence
favors white cedar as deciduous species are preferentially cut by them,
leaving the cedar saplings or poles.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

No insect or diseases pose serious threats.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

None are known to exist.

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##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*John Dickerson*, Retired

USDA NRCS New York State Office, Syracuse, New York

##### Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 01jun06 jsp {#edited-01feb2002-jlk-01jun06-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*