Weeping Alaskan Cedar
Cupressus nootkatensis 'Pendula' (formerly Xanthocyparis nootkatensis or Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Cupressaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Evergreen, Coniferous
Variety / Cultivar
'Pendula'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8. It is cold-hardy and thrives in cool, humid climates with high annual rainfall.
About This Tree
A striking, slender evergreen with a strong central leader and secondary branches that drape horizontally before dropping vertically. It creates a 'ghostly' or weeping silhouette. It features dense, dark green scale-like foliage that hangs in flat sprays.
Leaf Characteristics
Scale-like leaves in flattened sprays, dark bluish-green to gray-green in color. They do not change color dramatically in winter. The leaves are small, overlapping, and provide a soft, feathery texture to the hanging branches.
Bark Characteristics
Thin, grayish-brown bark that becomes increasingly shaggy and shreds into long, thin vertical strips as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Pacific Northwest of North America (from Alaska to Northern California).
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen foliage. New growth typically emerges in spring. Cones develop in summer and ripen over a two-year period; remains dormant throughout winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in Full Sun to Partial Shade. Prefers moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soils. It requires consistent moisture and does not tolerate extreme drought well, though it is somewhat adaptable once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 20–35 feet in height with a spread of 8–12 feet in managed landscapes; growth rate is moderate (about 1 foot per year). Can live for several hundred years in the wild.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its unique architectural 'weeping' form. It is deer resistant and has high timber value for its rot-resistant, aromatic yellow wood. It has good resistance to most common pests and diseases.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides excellent year-round thermal cover and nesting sites for birds. The small cones provide a food source for some bird species and small mammals. It plays a significant role in Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest ecosystems.