How much light does Alaska cedar need?

Alaska cedar grows well in part shade but also tolerates full sun and part sun, particularly in cool, humid climates where soil moisture stays consistent.

How much water does Alaska cedar need?

This tree does best with medium to consistently wet soil and struggles in dry conditions, which matches its typical habitat along wet slopes and streambanks in mountain forests.

Does Alaska cedar produce flowers or attract pollinators?

Alaska cedar is a conifer, so it produces small cones rather than flowers and relies on wind for pollen dispersal rather than insect or animal pollinators.

Does Alaska cedar lose its leaves in winter?

No, it keeps its scale-like, blue-green foliage year-round, since it is an evergreen member of the cypress family.

Is Alaska Cedar toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Alaska Cedar as toxic to livestock.

Is Alaska Cedar HOA-friendly?

Alaska Cedar is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Alaska Cedar

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Callitropsis nootkatensis

Last reviewed: September 2026

Callitropsis nootkatensis, or Alaska cedar, is an evergreen conifer with drooping, scale-like blue-green foliage that thrives in cool, moist mountain forests and coastal slopes of the Pacific Northwest.

Toxicity unknown

Alaska Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Alaska Cedar as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

600"–1800" H × 240"–600" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

CA, OR, WA

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains

Alaska cedar is a majestic evergreen conifer native to coastal forests with drooping branches and scale-like foliage. This slow-growing tree develops an elegant pyramidal shape and can live for centuries, making it a premium landscape specimen. Its distinctive weeping habit and year-round green color provide excellent structure and visual interest.

Growing Alaska Cedar

Grow Alaska Cedar in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 600 to 1800 inches tall and spread 240 to 600 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Alaska Cedar is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, mid zone.

Extremely large mature size may overwhelm smaller properties
Very slow growth means decades to achieve desired screening effect

Wildlife value

Provides nesting sites and shelter for birds, particularly in its dense canopy. The seeds feed various songbirds and small mammals.

Common questions

How much light does Alaska cedar need?: Alaska cedar grows well in part shade but also tolerates full sun and part sun, particularly in cool, humid climates where soil moisture stays consistent.
How much water does Alaska cedar need?: This tree does best with medium to consistently wet soil and struggles in dry conditions, which matches its typical habitat along wet slopes and streambanks in mountain forests.
Does Alaska cedar produce flowers or attract pollinators?: Alaska cedar is a conifer, so it produces small cones rather than flowers and relies on wind for pollen dispersal rather than insect or animal pollinators.
Does Alaska cedar lose its leaves in winter?: No, it keeps its scale-like, blue-green foliage year-round, since it is an evergreen member of the cypress family.
Is Alaska Cedar toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Alaska Cedar as toxic to livestock.
Is Alaska Cedar HOA-friendly?: Alaska Cedar is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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