incense cedar

American  

[in-sens see-der] / ˈɪn sɛns ˌsi dər /

noun

1. a tree of the cypress family’s genus Calocedrus, especially C. decurrens California incense cedar of western North America, which may grow to more than 190 feet (58 meters) in height.

2. the aromatic, close-grained wood of this tree, used to make pencils, chests, closet linings, etc.

3. Chilean cedar.

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Etymology

Origin of incense cedar

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

A canopy of Jeffrey pine, red fir and incense cedar shaded the trail.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2025

The remainder were sugar pine, noble fir, red fir, incense cedar, western red cedar, mountain hemlock and western hemlock.

From Science Daily • Dec. 28, 2023

Several teams recently converged at Blodgett Forest Research Station northeast of Sacramento, an area thick with towering Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and incense cedar.

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2022

“Fortunately, there are many alternative tree species, including Oregon white oak, incense cedar and Chinese pistache, that might be more heat and drought resistant than ash.”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2022

Here, in a region lifted a mile into the rare atmosphere, was a ridge all naked boulder and spire along its crest, its sides studded with pine and incense cedar.

From The Everlasting Whisper by Gregory, Jackson