SOUTHERN WHITE CEDAR 



(Cham&cyparis Thyoides) 



THIS tree is called southern white cedar to distinguish it from 

 northern white cedar or arborvitae. When there is little likelihood 

 of confusion, the name white cedar is applied locally in different parts of 

 its range from Massachusetts to Florida. It is a persistent swamp tree 

 and on that account has been called swamp cedar; but that name alone 

 would not distinguish it from the northern white cedar, for both grow 

 in swamps; but it does separate it from red cedar which keeps away from 

 swamps. The ranges of the two are side by side from New England to 

 Florida. Post cedar is a common name for it in Delaware and New 

 Jersey, because of the important place it has long filled as fence material; 

 but again, the name does not set it apart from red cedar or northern 

 white cedar, for both are used for posts. The only name thus far 

 applied, which clearly distinguishes it from associated cedars, is southern 

 white cedar. Its range extends northward to Maine, but the tree's 

 chief commercial importance has been in New Jersey and southward to 

 North Carolina, very near the coast. Somehow, it seems to skip Georgia 

 where no one has reported it for many years, though there is historical 

 evidence that it once grew in that state. It grows as far west as Miss- 

 issippi, but is scarce. 



The small leaves remain green two years and then turn brown but 

 adhere to the branches several years longer. The fruit is about one- 

 fourth inch in diameter, and the small seeds are equipped with wings. 



The wood is among the lightest in this country. It is only moder- 

 ately strong and stiff. The tree usually grows slowly. Fifty years may 

 be required to produce a fence post, but under favorable conditions 

 results somewhat better than that may be expected. The summerwood 

 of the yearly ring is narrow, dark in color, and conspicuous, making the 

 counting of the rings an easy matter. The medullary rays are numerous 

 but thin. When the sap is cut tangentially in very thin layers it is 

 white and semi-transparent, presenting somewhat the appearance 

 of oiled paper. The heartwood is light brown, tinged with red, growing 

 darker with exposure. The wood is easily worked, and is very durable 

 in contact with the soil. Fence posts of this wood have been reported 

 to stand fifty years, and shingles are said to last longer. Trees reach a 

 height of eighty feet and diameter of four ; but such are of the largest size. 

 Great numbers are cut for poles and posts which are little more than a 

 foot in diameter. Few forest trees grow in denser stands than this. It 

 often takes possession of swamps, crowds out all other trees, and develops 



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