Tree of the Month - January 2018

What is tree of the month?

Incense Cedar or Calocedrus decurrens

Why is it tree of the month?

Distinctive in the Westonbirt landscape, the incense cedars are one of our 'Signature Plants'. They are often planted in groups and the group found on Holford Ride is widely considered the best in Britain!

The trees here were mainly planted in 1910, some 57 years after the original introduction, though our largest specimen on Mitchell Drive is somewhat older and possibly an original. In 1927 this tree was described as being 63 feet tall, though given the vigour of young plants it may have been planted a little later than the 1850s/60s. Specimens have been planted periodically since the Holford era, with the latest additions being undisputedly wild origin plants, having been collected in California in 2009 by colleagues at RBG Edinburgh.

Where can I find it?

In addition to the group on Holford Ride, there are groups of varying ages on Palmer ride and close to Waste Drive in Silk Wood. Single specimens can also be found dotted around the arboretum.