Succeeds in most soils and situations, but prefers a moist deep loamy soil and a sheltered position. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Survives on dry alkaline soils. Growth of trees is hardly affected by a lack of phosphate in the soil. Plants are moderately shade tolerant, especially when young. Plants are tolerant of atmospheric pollution according to one report, whilst another says that they do not do well in a polluted atmosphere. A fairly wind tolerant plant, but it does not like severe maritime exposure. Plants are susceptible to wind burn and recover variably. This species is hardy to about -25°c. A fairly long-lived tree in the wild with specimens 500 - 600 years old. It is a very valuable timber tree in N. America and it is sometimes cultivated as a forestry tree in Britain, where it occasionally self-sows. It establishes well and grows quickly. New shoots can make 1 metre in a year but trees rarely maintain that rate and 30cm is nearer the average. New growth starts very slowly in April, speeds up in June and ceases in September. A very uniform species in the wild, in cultivation it is polymorphic and there are many named varieties. The crushed foliage has a pungent smell. Favoured by many birds for roosting, providing high cover and especially for nesting, large specimens of this tree help to attract songbirds to the garden. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

None known

Seed - sow March/April in a seedbed outdoors. The seed is best sown in pots in a frame. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. One month warm then one month cold stratification has produced good results. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in late summer or autumn in sandy soil in a cold frame. Difficult, it may be best done in late winter to early spring.

Usually scattered in small groves on moist slopes and canyons, often on serpentine soils, below 1500 metres. Seldom more than 50 kilometres from the coast.