Sequoia National Park Trees and Wildlife

A drought-tolerant member of the cypress family with fragrant wood and reddish shredding bark; common on dry ridges and slopes in the lower-to-mid montane zone. In Sequoia NP it mixes with pines and oaks on warm, well-drained sites and is often used by birds for nesting.

Look for close, flattened sprays of scale-like leaves in alternating pairs, vertically ridged trunk with reddish, shredding bark, and a strong fragrant (resinous) aroma when leaves or bark are crushed.

Common Confusions

• Western Redcedar Thuja plicata Western redcedar has broader, more flattened sprays and different cone shape; incense cedar foliage often appears in tight, vertical columns and bark is more shreddy and red.
• Canyon Live Oak Quercus chrysolepis Canyon live oak is a broadleaf evergreen with lobed leaves, not scale-like foliage; their overall habit and leaves are clearly different on close inspection.