Chamaecyparis thyoides aka Atlantic White Cypress

Chamaecyparis thyoides, or Atlantic white cedar, belongs to the cypress family. This evergreen tree comes from the eastern United States. Its range follows the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida. It also grows along the Gulf coast to Mississippi. Wild trees grow in freshwater swamps, bogs, and wet woods. They can form large stands in these wet sites.

Garden trees often reach 30–50 feet (9.1–15.2 metres) tall. Some sources give heights of 60–80 feet (18.3–24.4 metres). Trees can reach 90 feet (27.4 metres). Reported widths range from 10–40 feet (3–12.2 metres). A straight trunk supports a narrow crown with a pointed top. Older trees may lose branches on their lower half. Growth proceeds at a moderate pace. The reddish-brown bark has flat ridges and peels in strips.

Adult leaves look like small scales, while young leaves resemble needles. Their colour ranges from light green to blue-green. The pointed leaves have clear resin glands and smell when crushed. Dead brown leaves can stay on branches for several years. Thin branchlets carry dense groups of leaves. This conifer forms cones rather than showy flowers. Both sexes occur on each tree, with cones appearing in spring. Male cones range from red to yellow; female cones start green. Seed cones develop purple tones before turning brown. Small twigs bear clusters of these round cones.

Full sun gives the best growth, though trees accept partial shade. They prefer moist, acidic soil with sand, peat, or organic matter. They also tolerate wet ground near ponds and streams. In gardens, moist soil with good drainage suits them. Their USDA hardiness range is zones 4–8. Shelter from strong winds helps, and pruning is seldom needed. Trees serve as specimens, tall hedges, or grouped privacy screens. Trim hedges in summer without cutting into old brown wood. That wood cannot produce fresh growth. People use the durable wood for shingles, posts, and boats.

The foliage gives wildlife cover in winter and harsh weather. It feeds Hessel's hairstreak larvae, while deer browse it in winter. Serious pest problems are uncommon, but bagworms can attack trees. Juniper blight and root rot can also occur. The tree has a high fire risk. Food-use reports conflict: NC State labels it edible without naming parts. Plants For A Future records no known edible uses or hazards. This does not establish that every part is safe to eat. That source also records past leaf and bark remedies for pain.