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Port Orford Cedar

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade

Water

moderate

Soil

Fast, Medium; Prefers moist, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil or sandy and clay loams and rocky ridges.

Size

40–200ft tall , 26–26ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

Native Range

Southern Oregon and northwestern California in Curry and Del Norte counties; naturally occurring in California only in a small area near the Oregon border.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Port Orford Cedar in part shade with fast to medium draining soil that's moist, well-drained, and neutral to slightly acidic - sandy and clay loams work well. This tree needs room to grow; space it accordingly since it can eventually reach 40–200 feet tall, though it's uncommon in residential gardens for this reason. Plant in fall or winter for best establishment, and ensure the soil drains well to prevent moisture issues.

After Planting

Water moderately during the first year; once established, you'll only need to water a maximum of 3 times per month during summer. Prune only dead branches in winter when wood-boring insects are less active, and never cut into living wood. Expect the tree to grow slowly and steadily as an evergreen; it's deer resistant, so wildlife won't be an issue. The biggest mistake is overwatering or planting in poorly draining soil, which stresses this tree that evolved in well-drained mountain valleys.

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