Characteristics:

Incense Cedars appear more bushy and less pyrimidal than most conifers. The leaves of this species are decussate and scale-like and occur in flat sprays.

Notice that the internodes of the scales are longer that they are wide, giving the appearance of a champagne glass. The leaves of this species have no stomatal bloom (compare with Western Red Cedar).

The bark of the Incense Cedar is quite distinctive due to its fibrous almost stringy texture. It is also quite often a rust red on the inside and weathers to a greyish brown on the outside.

The cones of the Incense Cedar are easy to identify as they have three distinct cone scales. The scales are hard and woody. Note: this picture depicts the cones after they have opened however they can be seen while still closed.