Port Orford Cedar Plant Care

Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) belongs to the Cupressaceae family within the Chamaecyparis genus. Port Orford Cedar is native to Oregon and northwestern California, and grows from sea level up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) in the valleys of the Klamath Mountains, often along streams. Port Orford Cedar is also known as Lawson Cypress, Oregon Cedar, Gingerbread Tree.

Port Orford Cedar displays a pyramidal, conical tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Port Orford Cedar produces insignificant.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Port Orford Cedar every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Port Orford Cedar thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Port Orford Cedar prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Port Orford Cedar to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Port Orford Cedar every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Port Orford Cedar can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Port Orford Cedar while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes — evergreens keep losing water through their needles all winter, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Port Orford Cedar can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hinoki cypress plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Port Orford Cedar is susceptible to spider mites, bagworms, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.