Also called Atlantic white cypress.
Some taxonomists consider the 1–4 species of
cedar genus Cedrus,
(found from the Mediterranean Sea to the 🗻︎ Himalaya mountains) to be the only true cedars. But the common name
cedar is used to describe at least 32 species, in 20 genera, in 9 families
(found 🌍︎🌎︎🌏︎ globally except Antarctica). Regardless, this plant is …
Part of
false cypress genus Chamaecyparis
in
cypress / juniper / redwood family Cupressaceae
in
🌲︎ conifer order Pinales.
Native to 🇺🇸 USA South and East.
🗺 Map (scroll down),
🗺 map (North America, Central America), 
🗺 today + with climate change (eastern 🇺🇸 USA).
On the West Coast is a sister-species
Port Orford cedar Chamaecyparis lawsoniana,
and a former-sister-species
◼︎ Alaska yellow cedar Callitropsis nootkatensis.
Uses by native peoples
(Ethnobotany database)
The wood is so water-resistant, that logs, long-buried in New Jersey bogs, were dug up and turned into ⛵︎ boats and roof shingles.
[1]
References
[1]
"Cedar Mining in New Jersey's Sunken Forests". Batsto Citizens Gazette. .
Accessed .