Skybound Cedar vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Skybound Cedar vs Sweet Gale

Myrica gale

Thuja occidentalis Skybound

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Sweet Gale
Skybound Cedar

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

The Skybound Cedar is a newer variety that is usually hardier than the Brandon Cedar and richer in color. The dark green, scale-like foliage maintain their needles and color throughout the winter.

Cedars enjoy average to moist soil conditions and should not be allowed to dry out. It's small size, spread and columnar shape make the Skybound Cedar an excellent accent tree or border hedge that can be expected to live up to 50 years under ideal conditions.

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Skybound Cedar Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: bog myrtle, meadow-fern, sweet bayberry, sweetgale
Other Names: skybound arborvitae