How To Plant Cedar Trees: Your Ultimate Guide

Hey guys! So, you're thinking about adding the majestic beauty and fragrant aroma of cedar trees to your landscape? Awesome choice! Cedar trees aren't just visually stunning; they're also incredibly beneficial for your property, offering privacy, acting as windbreaks, and even attracting wildlife. But before you rush out and buy a sapling, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of planting cedar trees to ensure they thrive for years to come. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from selecting the right cedar variety to planting and caring for your new green friends. So, grab your gardening gloves, and let's get started!

Choosing the Right Cedar Variety

Okay, first things first: not all cedars are created equal. There are various types of cedar trees, each with its unique characteristics, growth habits, and suitability for different climates and soil conditions. Understanding these differences is crucial for ensuring your cedar tree planting success. Let's explore some popular varieties:

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Our journey into the world of cedars begins with the Eastern Red Cedar, a true American classic. Don't let the name fool you; despite the moniker, this hardy tree is actually a juniper, belonging to the cypress family rather than the true cedar family. But technicalities aside, the Eastern Red Cedar is a fantastic choice for many landscapes, boasting a wide range of benefits and a rugged charm that's hard to resist. If you're considering planting cedar trees, the Eastern Red Cedar deserves a top spot on your list.

When it comes to appearance, the Eastern Red Cedar offers a pleasingly pyramidal or columnar shape, making it a natural fit for windbreaks, privacy screens, and even standalone specimen trees. Its foliage is a beautiful blend of scale-like and needle-like leaves, ranging in color from a vibrant green to a bluish-green that adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. In the fall and winter, female trees produce small, berry-like cones that add a pop of color and serve as a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife. These trees typically reach heights of 40 to 50 feet, with a spread of 10 to 20 feet, so make sure you have ample space for them to grow. Planting cedar trees like the Eastern Red Cedar requires careful consideration of their mature size.

But the Eastern Red Cedar is more than just a pretty face. It's also incredibly adaptable and resilient, thriving in a wide range of conditions that would challenge other trees. It's highly tolerant of drought, poor soils, and even salty conditions, making it an excellent choice for coastal areas or properties with less-than-ideal soil. This adaptability makes cedar tree planting relatively straightforward, even for novice gardeners. It's also a fast-growing tree, which means you won't have to wait decades to enjoy its full benefits. However, this rapid growth also means it can become invasive in some areas, so it's essential to check with your local extension office or nursery to ensure it's a suitable choice for your region.

Beyond its aesthetic and practical benefits, the Eastern Red Cedar also plays an important role in the ecosystem. Its berries provide food and shelter for a variety of birds, including cedar waxwings (which, as their name suggests, have a special fondness for these trees), wild turkeys, and mockingbirds. The dense foliage also provides nesting habitat for many species, making it a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly landscape. So, when you're planting cedar trees, you're not just adding beauty to your property; you're also contributing to the health and biodiversity of your local environment.

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Now, let's head west and explore the majestic Western Red Cedar, a giant of the Pacific Northwest forests and a prized choice for landscapes across the country. Unlike its Eastern Red Cedar cousin, the Western Red Cedar is a true cedar, belonging to the Thuja genus. It's renowned for its towering height, aromatic wood, and graceful, drooping branches, making it a truly stunning addition to any property. If you're dreaming of planting cedar trees that make a statement, the Western Red Cedar might be your perfect match.

The Western Red Cedar is a sight to behold, often reaching heights of 50 to 70 feet, with some specimens exceeding 200 feet in their native habitat. Its pyramidal shape and lush, evergreen foliage create a sense of grandeur and tranquility, transforming any landscape into a peaceful oasis. The leaves are scale-like and arranged in flattened sprays, giving the tree a soft, feathery appearance. The rich green color of the foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for other plants and creates a soothing visual effect. Planting cedar trees like the Western Red Cedar brings a touch of the wild into your backyard.

One of the most distinctive features of the Western Red Cedar is its fragrant wood, which is naturally resistant to decay and insects. This makes it a popular choice for siding, shingles, decking, and other outdoor applications. The wood has a warm, reddish-brown hue and a distinctive aroma that adds a touch of luxury to any project. Even when planting cedar trees as ornamentals, you'll enjoy the pleasant scent that wafts through the air, especially after a rain. The Western Red Cedar is also a relatively fast-growing tree, adding up to 2 feet of growth per year under optimal conditions. This means you won't have to wait forever to enjoy its full size and beauty. However, it's important to note that this rapid growth requires adequate space, so make sure you have enough room for the tree to mature before planting cedar trees of this variety.

Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara)

Let's travel across the globe to the Himalayas and discover the Deodar Cedar, a graceful and elegant tree that adds a touch of exotic beauty to any landscape. Native to the mountains of Asia, the Deodar Cedar is a true cedar, belonging to the Cedrus genus, and is prized for its drooping branches, soft needles, and distinctive fragrance. If you're looking for planting cedar trees that stand out from the crowd, the Deodar Cedar is an excellent choice.

The Deodar Cedar is a majestic tree, typically reaching heights of 40 to 70 feet, with a spread of 20 to 40 feet. Its pyramidal shape and graceful, arching branches create a sense of serenity and tranquility, making it a perfect focal point for any garden or landscape. The needles are soft and bluish-green, adding a touch of coolness to the overall appearance. The tree also produces cones that are barrel-shaped and stand upright on the branches, adding visual interest throughout the year. Planting cedar trees like the Deodar Cedar brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to your property.

One of the most appealing features of the Deodar Cedar is its adaptability to a wide range of conditions. It's relatively drought-tolerant once established and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. It also tolerates a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil. This adaptability makes cedar tree planting relatively easy, even in challenging environments. However, the Deodar Cedar is not as cold-hardy as some other cedar varieties, so it's best suited for warmer climates (USDA Zones 7-9). If you live in a colder region, you may want to consider a different type of cedar or provide extra protection during the winter months.

Preparing the Planting Site

Alright, now that you've chosen your perfect cedar variety, let's talk about preparing the planting site. This is a crucial step in ensuring your cedar tree planting success. Think of it like building a strong foundation for a house; a well-prepared planting site will give your cedar tree the best possible start in life.

Soil Testing and Amendment

The first step in preparing the planting site is to assess your soil. A soil test will tell you the pH level, nutrient content, and overall health of your soil. This information is invaluable for determining whether your soil is suitable for planting cedar trees and what amendments you might need to add. You can purchase a soil testing kit at your local garden center or contact your county extension office for information on soil testing services.

Most cedar trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). If your soil is too alkaline (pH above 7.0), you can amend it by adding sulfur or peat moss. If your soil is too acidic (pH below 6.0), you can add lime. In addition to pH, it's also important to consider the nutrient content of your soil. Cedar trees benefit from well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, you'll need to amend it with compost, aged manure, or other organic materials to improve drainage and fertility. Proper soil amendment is key to successful cedar tree planting.

Digging the Hole

Once you've amended your soil, it's time to dig the planting hole. This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. The size of the hole is crucial for proper root development. The hole should be at least twice as wide as the root ball of your cedar tree and just as deep. This allows the roots to spread out easily and establish themselves in the surrounding soil. If you dig the hole too deep, the tree may settle and the root flare (the point where the trunk widens at the base) may become buried, which can lead to rot and other problems. Ensuring the right hole size is paramount when planting cedar trees.

Before you start digging, make sure you've cleared the area of any grass, weeds, or other debris. This will help prevent competition for resources and make it easier to maintain the area around your new cedar tree. When you dig the hole, be sure to loosen the soil on the sides and bottom to encourage root growth. Don't compact the soil, as this can restrict root development. Good hole preparation is fundamental to successful cedar tree planting.

Planting Your Cedar Tree

Okay, the moment we've all been waiting for: planting cedar trees! You've chosen your variety, prepped the site, and now it's time to get your hands dirty. This is a rewarding experience, knowing you're adding beauty and value to your property. Let's get down to the steps for planting your cedar tree correctly.

Removing the Tree from its Container

The first step is to gently remove the cedar tree from its container. If the tree is in a pot, you can usually tip it on its side and gently tap the pot to loosen the root ball. If the tree is in a burlap bag, you'll need to carefully cut the twine and peel back the burlap. Be careful not to damage the roots during this process. Damaged roots can hinder the growth of your newly planted cedar trees.

Once you've removed the tree from its container, take a look at the root ball. If the roots are circling around the root ball (a condition known as