Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) vs. Northern White-Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Updated March 30th, 2022These 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 that release wind-dispersed seeds. They can be easily told apart by their foliage as well as their seed cones; their bark is similar but has some differences. Not all trees can be distinguished by bark. Both prefer moist conditions, but Atlantic white cedar is more restricted to poorly-drained sites. Atlantic white cedar is limited to sites with acidic soils, whereas Northern White Cedar is most likely on more calcium-rich soils.
