Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 2 plant ID/comparison guides:

collage of Atlantic White Cedar and Northern White-Cedar

Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) vs. Northern White-Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

Updated February 20th, 2024

These two species only overlap in the wild in a small part of New England, but both are widely planted in landscaping. Both have scale-like foliage and seed cones releasing wind-dispersed seeds. They can be told apart by their foliage arrangement, density, and color, seed cones, and shape. Some trees can be distinguished by bark. Both prefer moist conditions, but Atlantic white cedar is more restricted to wetlands. The two species have no overlap in soil pH, with Atlantic white cedar limited to sites with acidic soils (pH <5.5), whereas Northern White Cedar is most likely on more calcium-rich soils (pH > 5.5.)

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collage of Atlantic White Cedar and Eastern Redcedar

Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) vs. Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Updated February 20th, 2024

These two species are easily confused where their ranges overlap, especially on mature trees with scalelike foliage. They can be told apart easily by closely examining their seed cones, and by bark, shape, and foliage color. Although they can occur near each other, they have little habitat overlap by specific site. Redcedar is much more common and widely adaptable, and prefers drier sites. Atlantic white cedar is limited to acidic wetlands. Both are occasional in landscaping.

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