That of C. decurrens is the primary material for wooden pencils, because it is soft and tends to sharpen easily without forming splinters.

The two Asian species were (at least in the past) in very high demand for coffin manufacture in China, due to the scent of the wood and its decay resistance.

Incense cedar was the preferred hearth board of the Native Peoples of Northern California for lighting fires by friction.

Calocedrus decurrens, the California incense cedar, is a popular ornamental tree, grown particularly in locations with cool summer climates like Britain, Washington and British Columbia.

Its very narrow columnar crown in landscape settings, an unexplained consequence of the climatic conditions in these areas, is not shown by trees in their native 'wild' habitat.