A small to medium-sized, intolerant tree, distributed throughout most of the eastern U.S., west to mid-Texas, and is most commonly found on dry sites. Wood is very durable and used for "cedar closets" and novelty items. Leaves are dimorphic with decussate scalelike leaves, or awl-shaped (generally opposite, rarely ternate) leaves. Cones are 1/3", subglobose; dark purple, glaucous, and berry-like.