Additional Details

Cade tree is very variable in shape, forming a spreading shrub 2–3 m tall to a small erect tree 10–15 m tall. It has needle-like leaves in whorls of three; the leaves are green, 5–20 mm long and 1–2 mm broad, with a double white stomatal band (split by a green midrib) on the inner surface. It is usually dioeciously, with separate male and female plants. The oil is resinous, a darkish brown color, and has a strange wary smell which is even caustic and tar-like (not surprisingly, as creosol forms the main constituent of creosote). The principal constituents: phenols (creosol, guaiacol), sesquiterpenes (cadinene) and terpenes. The only methods of extracting essential oils are through steam distillation and expression.