Cedar (Cedrus) –
True cedars (Cedrus spp.) have dense clusters of evergreen needles from stout, woody pegs with barrel-shaped cones that sit on top of the branches. Most cedars are upright and conical but there are a few such as the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar that are more spreading or are dwarfed.
False Cedar –
False cedar refers to several different genera's of conifers that share common characteristics. They feature small, overlapping, scale-like leaves (this is how you know they're not a true Cedar); small, upright cones that remain on the tree; and aromatic wood. Examples of false cedars include Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), and Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata).