Cedar Tree Care

A popular landscaping tree, the cedar is a genus of coniferous trees in the plant family Pinaceae. It belongs to the family of pine trees and are native to the western Himalayan mountains and the Mediterranean region. An important source for high quality timber, cedar is now cultivated in regions where the winter temperature is above -25°C. To enjoy this tree and its strong woody fragrance, one need not be a cultivator, just interested in learning basic tree care.

Cedar Tree

Identifying a cedar tree definitely requires an experienced eye, as the different types of cedar trees comes with their own different features in terms of height, crown spread and diameter, leaf and cone size and shape, habitat and adaptation, etc. Cedars are evergreen trees that can grow between 30 to 70 meters in height depending upon its species. The leaves are evergreen and needle shaped and soft, borne in dense clusters on short shoots, they tend to overlap each other. The evergreen leaves are in shades of green with some cedar leaves having a tinge of blue. These short (leaf) shoots are arranged on longer shoots in an open spiral manner. The bark of a young cedar is generally greener and softer, which turns thick, hard and develops cracks and turns a dark brown. The cedar trees bark and leaves also emit a spicy resinous aroma. The cedar cones are barrel shaped and contain winged seeds which get released when they mature a year later than the cone.

How to Care for a Cedar Tree

Cedar trees can be propagated through cuttings and seeds. Cuttings is generally preferred over seeds, as they have a better survival chance, plus they are quick to develop into healthy plants. Take healthy cuttings, semi-woody (not too soft nor too hard) in summer. Clear the lower part of the cuttings of all leaves. Dip it in a rooting solution and plant it in a well drained moist medium. For seeds, collect cones that are brown, and aren't completely opened. Gently force open the cone, and quickly collect the seeds before they get dispersed. They are winged, so they tend to fly away. Seeds of some species like the white cedar tree require a couple of hours of pre-soaking before sowing them in the sowing medium. Place them in a location that receives partial sunlight. One can sow seeds individually in Styrofoam cups too. Once the seedling becomes 6-12 inches tall, it is ready for transplantation.

Choose a location bearing in mind the eventual size of the tree, either in full or partial sun. The area should not be prone to water logging or flooding. If you plan to plant more than one cedar tree, then space them apart a minimum 4-6 feet. Dig a hole about six diameter in width and about a feet or two deep. The planting soil should include part organic compost. Plant the cedar and compact the soil tightly around the roots. Build a berm around the young cedar tree, and fill it with water. For the first couple of months one must ensure that the soil does not dry out, but water cautiously, too much water will set rot in the roots. Weed well around the cedar tree. The roots of the cedar are vulnerable to disturbances, so make sure they don't get hit or jerked while weeding or tilling around its soil. The cedar does not require much fertilizing, maybe once in year, if you want too.

The young cedar needs to be protected from livestock, as the leaves and twigs are tender. Build a mesh around it to keep animals from eating up your cedar. Prune your cedar either to downsize it or to shape. The timing is important, prune in the spring, before growth starts. Damaged or broken branches must be sawed with sharp cuts, jagged cuts will damage the plant. Never prune after July, as next seasons growth in the form of buds (leaf) have formed. The cedar is a fast grower, most species grow several inches annually. So prune keeping in mind the size you want your cedar to achieve.

Although hardy, cedar trees are susceptible to Armillaria root rot, white fungal bark infections, discolored foliage, etc. Excess watering and fertilizing can kill your cedar. Most of these problems can be handled with proper care. A established cedar tree does not require much maintenance, just admiration!