Cedar trees anchor a landscape for generations, their fragrant, rot-resistant wood and towering, long-lived evergreen form making them a favorite for both windbreaks and stately specimen plantings.
True cedars (Cedrus) are native to the Mediterranean and the Himalayas, though many trees called "cedar" in North America — like eastern red cedar and western red cedar — actually belong to different genera, all sharing the same aromatic, decay-resistant wood.
Cedar wants full sun and well-draining soil, and needs plenty of space to reach its full, sweeping mature size — this is not a tree for a small yard. Once established, cedar is remarkably drought-tolerant and low-maintenance for decades to come.
Cedar's naturally rot- and insect-resistant wood is why it's a traditional choice for outdoor furniture, fence posts, and closet linings, even after the tree itself is gone.
