They are majestic trees that round off a plant composition in a meaningful way. The cedar meets all the requirements that creative gardeners place on a cross-generational house tree. Don't ignore this gem if you still have questions about cultivation. Get answers here.
When and where should you plant a cedar?
The best time to plant a cedar is in autumn when temperatures are mild. Ideally, the location should be sunny to partially shaded and protected. A cedar prefers sandy, deep and humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic to alkaline pH value.
Planting cedar correctly
Autumn is the best time to plant a cedar. Before you start gardening, place the root ball in a bucket of water. Now follow these steps:
- The planting pit has twice the volume of the root ball
- Spread a layer of gravel, grit or pottery shards on the sole as drainage
- Optimize the excavation with compost, bark humus, horn shavings and leaf mold
- Drive a support post into the pit to place the tree next to it
Finally, fill the pit with the soil mixture until the top of the bale is flush with the surface of the soil. Tamp the soil firmly, connect the support post and tree with coconut tape and water. If you now cut back all branches by about a third, this plant cut will make a valuable contribution to vital branching.
Care tips
A cedar is frugal and undemanding when it comes to care. Watering is only necessary in periods of drought if the natural amount of rain is not sufficient. The same applies in winter when there is no snow to provide water for the evergreen tree. A young cedar gratefully accepts organic fertilizer such as compost or horse manure with horn shavings. In later years, additional nutrient supply becomes unnecessary. In its youth, the impressive tree also requires winter protection, as there is a risk of frost damage from -15 degrees Celsius. Only attack a harmoniously growing cedar with scissors if necessary, for example to keep height growth under control. In early spring, cut off shoots that are too long so that a small piece of fresh green remains. It is difficult for the tree to sprout again from old wood.
Which location is suitable?
Since a cedar only develops its winter hardiness over the first 8-12 years, the location should primarily be sunny to partially shaded and protected. This caution is particularly directed against sharp easterly winds and intense winter sun, which can wreak havoc on a young tree in the first few winters. With regard to the nature of the soil, a cedar prefers sandy, dry and deep, humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic to alkaline pH value.
The correct planting distance
Various criteria play a role in evaluating the correct planting distance. The distance to neighbors is of legal relevance, while the distance to buildings serves security purposes. Last but not least, the distance to neighboring plants needs to be adequately addressed. In general, the following values apply to the mighty tree:
- Minimum distance from the tree to the neighbor and the street: 4 meters
- Minimum distance to building: half of the expected final height
- Distance to neighboring plants: half of the expected growth width
Since the border distances in Germany are a matter for the states, only an average value can be given here. Please consult your local public order office to determine the exact value for your region.
What soil does the plant need?
A cedar tree will accept any good garden soil in which to spread its roots. The tree develops its optimum in this soil:
- Deeply loose and rich in nutrients
- Humos and sandy-loamy, without risk of waterlogging
- Slightly acidic, neutral to alkaline pH value
If the soil at the chosen location does not have ideal conditions, these can be easily created using additives. Soil that is too heavy is optimized with sand and peat. Substrate that is too sandy and dry is ready to provide a home for the impressive tree after incorporating compost (€43.00 on Amazon), leaf mold and bark humus. In order to raise a pH value that is too low to a level that is tolerable for the tree, administer vital lime regularly.
What is the best time to plant?
The majority of nurseries offer young cedars in containers, as in this case the planting period extends over the entire frost-free growing season. If you want to provide the tree with perfect starting conditions, choose a mild day in autumn. Since the ground temperatures are around 17-20 degrees Celsius in September/October, the young coniferous tree roots vitally and strongly before the start of winter.
When is flowering time?
As a rule, a cedar develops its first flower at the age of 30. This appears during the months of September and October, but is hardly noticeable. The cones resulting from the flower mature after 2 to 3 years, but remain on the tree for up to 10 years.
Cut cedar correctly
The cedar impresses with a beautiful, natural habit that does not require a topiary. Nevertheless, the tree grows to monstrous proportions over the years, so you can't avoid cutting it back. Ideally, you should prune only a little each spring, rather than doing a deep cut every few years. Since the tree is extremely easy to cut, it is up to you to decide to what extent you prune. This procedure has proven itself in practice:
- Cut a cedar into shape in the spring before it sprouts
- A frost-free day with overcast weather is ideal
- Short branches that are too long with freshly sharpened scissors
- Avoid cutting into old wood, as the tree will have difficulty sprouting from it
- Cut dead wood at the base
- Cut inward-facing or rubbing branches on Astring
The cedar receives an important cut immediately after planting. If you cut back the shoots by around 30 percent, the young tree will thank you with vital branching, which results in a particularly bushy habit.
Watering cedar
If the natural rainfall does not meet the water needs of a cedar, the garden hose is used. Don't wait for the tree to signal drought stress by shedding its needles. In dry weather, check the soil with a thumb test and water promptly and thoroughly. Small specimens in a pot require more water than a tree that extends its roots in the ground to the groundwater.
Fertilize cedar properly
While a young cedar is still developing its root system, it is grateful for a portion of compost every 4 weeks. An older tree provides itself with all the important nutrients. If you cultivate a dwarf variety in a pot, apply a liquid fertilizer for green plants every 4 weeks from March to September.
Wintering
Since a cedar could suffer frost damage at temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius in combination with icy easterly winds, we recommend the following protective measures in harsh winters and in wind-exposed locations:
- Hill up the tree slice with a 20-30 cm thick layer of leaves and brushwood
- Wrap the crown with reeds, jute ribbons or a straw mat
- Watering the evergreen tree on frost-free days during the winter
Before the first frost, planters are covered in bubble wrap, placed on wood and a breathable hood is placed over the crown.
Propagate cedar
Propagate a cedar tree yourself is only recommended for hobby gardeners with a very long line of patience. Both the sowing of seeds and the care of cuttings take up to 3 years before a strong young plant develops. If you subject the seeds to stratification, the months-long germination process can be accelerated. It also has a forcing effect if the seeds are soaked in gibberellic acid. Cuttings root more quickly under a transparent hood that creates a warm, humid microclimate.
How do I transplant correctly?
In the first 5 years, a cedar can still be transplanted without any problems. Tackle the project in the fall, as the tree is well rooted at this time. You can do it in these steps:
- Prick the root ball with the spade within the radius of half to two thirds of the growth height
- Dig a generously sized trench, mix the soil with compost and fill it back in
- Water the tree regularly and extensively for over a year so that new fine roots form
The following year, lift the tree out of the ground and put it back in the new location at the same depth as before. A support post on the east side of the trunk provides the necessary stability as it grows. Again, a regular water supply is of utmost importance.
Does a cedar have what it takes to become a bonsai?
The cedar has proven to be a prime example of a magnificent outdoor bonsai. Their easy cutting tolerance and broad location amplitude contribute significantly to this qualification. Creative bonsai gardeners usually opt for a strictly upright or freely upright design. With regard to care, the following aspects should be taken into account:
- Water regularly during the growing season
- Reduce the water supply slightly in winter
- From March to September, fertilize liquidly every 2 weeks or give bonsai fertilizer chunks
- At the beginning of spring, cut the branches into shape and carefully wire them if necessary
Every 3-4 years, repot the cedar bonsai into a larger bowl and use this opportunity to cut the roots back by about a third. As a substrate, we recommend a mixture of bonsai soil and a third each of acadama soil and lava granules.
How does a cedar root?
The cedar thrives as a heartroot. According to this definition, it develops a root system that extends in all directions. The main root extends slightly deeper into the ground, while the fine roots sprout near the surface. Viewed in cross section, the shape is reminiscent of a heart.read more
Beautiful varieties
- Blue Atlas cedar: A popular type of cedar with steel blue needles, robust winter hardiness and dense habit
- Glauca pendula: A small garden form of the Blue Atlas cedar that rarely grows higher than 5 meters
- Fastigiata: Magnificent columnar cedar with blue needles, ideal for small gardens and pot cultivation
- Golden Horizon: Majestic Himalayan cedar with green-yellow needles and tilted top
- Feelin Blue: Decorative dwarf form of the Himalayan cedar, with blue needles and graceful growth up to 1 meter
- Nana: Mighty Lebanon cedar for large parks, which reaches a height of up to 40 meters when old
- Variegata: Virtuoso incense cedar, which smells wonderful, with needles mixed in green and yellow
