Prefers acid soils that are moist and well drained. Even though they prefer acid soils, will take slightly alkaline soils as well. Will grow in full sun to partial shade. Drought tolerant once established, is half hardy to hardy. True cedar and one of the most widely grown conifers in the west.
Form is broad pyramidal when young with pendulous branches.
Wide spreading and flat topped at maturity. Medium rate of growth overall. Branches tend to be horizontal and lower ones droop to ground. Foliage is dark green and one and half inches in length and tend to be in whorls of 15 to 20 needles per cluster. Good plant as a background, in masses, skyline tree, or a specimen in larger areas such as parks and cemeteries.