1. Cupressaceae the Cypress Family
By Andrew Larson

2. Genera 3 main genera within Cupressaceae Chamaecyparis Thuja Juniperus
Chamaecyparis thyoides: Atlantic white cedar
Thuja
T. occidentalis: Northern/Eastern white cedar
Juniperus
J. communis: Common juniper
J. virginiana: Eastern red cedar
J. horizontalis: Creeping juniper

3. Defining Characteristics
Coniferous gymnosperms
Trees or shrubs
Common habitats include swamps and other low-lying habitats
Exception: Juniperus tend to grow in dryer habitats
Evergreens with leaves made from scales
Female cones are small and leathery or woody
Cones are made up of small scales
Juniperus have berry-like cones
Bark is leathery and deeply grooved

4. Cones Female cones are small and leathery or woody
Cones are made up of small scales
Note: scales on leaves
Thuja occidentalis (White Cedar)

5. Cones Juniperus have berry-like cones
Juniper communis (Common Juniper)

6. Bark Bark is leathery and deeply grooved Chamaecyparis thyoides
Atlantic White Cedar
T. occidentalis (White Cedar)

7. Northern MN Cupressaceae
Thuja occidentalis (Northern white cedar) are found throughout northern MN, especially in damp, shady environments. Some of the largest the author has seen are on the north shore of Lake Superior.

8. Northern MN Cupressaceae
White-tail deer prefer cedar to other forage, especially in the winter. Evidence of this can be seen in “browse lines” along lake shore.
The success rate of white cedar saplings is extremely low in area where the whitetail deer population is high

9. References
Gleason, Henry, and Arthur Cronquist. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. 2. New York: New York Botanical Garden, Print.
(all images have the URL nearby)