They are majestic trees that sensibly round off a plant composition. The cedar fulfills 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.

Cedars are impressive trees

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant cedar properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. What is the best planting time?
  7. When is flowering time?
  8. Cut cedar properly
  9. watering cedar
  10. Fertilize cedar properly
  11. hibernate
  12. propagate cedar
  13. How do I plant correctly?
  14. Does a cedar have what it takes to be a bonsai?
  15. How does a cedar root?
  16. Beautiful varieties

    17. Plant cedar properly

    Fall is the best time to plant a cedar. Before you get started in the garden, place the root ball in a bucket of water. Now proceed with the following steps:

    • The planting pit has twice the volume of the root ball
    • Spread out a layer of gravel, grit (€46.95) or broken potsherds on the bottom as drainage
    • Optimize the excavation with compost, bark humus, horn shavings (€32.93) and leaf soil
    • Drive a support stake 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. Firm the soil, connect the support pole and tree with coconut tape and water. If you now cut back all branches by about a third, this pruning will make a valuable contribution to vital branching.

    care tips

    When it comes to care, a cedar is frugal and undemanding. Watering is only necessary in periods of drought, provided that the natural amount of rain is not sufficient. The same applies in winter when the snow fails to provide water for the evergreen tree. A young cedar will gratefully accept organic fertilizers such as compost or horse manure mixed with horn shavings. In later years, the additional nutrient supply is unnecessary. In its youth, the imposing tree also requires winter protection, because there is a risk of frost damage from -15 degrees Celsius. Only attack a harmoniously growing cedar with scissors in an emergency, for example to keep height growth in check. In early spring, cut off shoots that are too long so that a small piece of the 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 course of the first 8-12 years, the location should be primarily sunny to partially shaded and protected. This prudence is particularly directed against sharp easterly winds and intense winter sun, which can kill off a young tree in the first few winters. With regard to the soil conditions, a cedar favors sandy-dry and deep-humic soil with a slightly acidic to alkaline pH value.

    The right planting distance

    Various criteria play a part in evaluating the correct planting distance. For example, the distance to the neighbor is of legal relevance, while the distance to buildings serves to ensure safety. Last but not least, the distance to neighboring plants needs to be dealt with adequately. In general, the following values apply to the mighty tree:

    • Minimum distance from the tree to the neighbor and to 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 federal states, only an average value can be given here. Please consult your responsible public order office to determine the exact value for your region.

    What soil does the plant need?

    A cedar will accept any good garden soil in which to spread its roots. The tree develops its optimum in this soil:

    • Deeply fluffy and rich in nutrients
    • Humic and sandy-loamy, with no risk of waterlogging
    • Slightly acidic, neutral to alkaline pH

    If the soil at the chosen location does not have the ideal conditions, these can be easily created with the help of additives. Too heavy soil is optimized with sand and peat. After the incorporation of compost, leaf soil and bark humus, substrate that is too sandy and dry is ready to offer the impressive tree a home. In order to raise a pH value that is too low to a level that the tree can tolerate, give vital lime regularly.

    What is the best planting time?

    Most tree nurseries offer young cedars in containers, since in this case the planting time extends over the entire frost-free vegetation period. If you want to offer the tree perfect starting conditions, choose a mild day in autumn. Since the soil temperatures in September/October hover around 17-20 degrees Celsius, the young coniferous tree takes root vitally and vigorously before the onset of winter.

    When is flowering time?

    As a rule, a cedar develops its first blossom at the age of 30. This appears during the months of September and October, but is hardly noticeable. The cones that result from the flower are mature after 2 to 3 years, but remain on the tree for up to 10 years.

    Cut cedar properly

    The cedar impresses with a beautiful, natural habit that does not require a shape cut. Nevertheless, the tree has assumed monstrous proportions over the years, so that you cannot avoid pruning. Ideally, you do light pruning each spring rather than a deep pruning every few years. Since the tree is extremely tolerant of pruning, it is up to you to decide how much to cut. This procedure has proven itself in practice:

    • Cut a cedar into shape in the spring before it buds
    • A frost-free day with overcast weather is ideal
    • Shorten branches that are too long with freshly sharpened scissors
    • Avoid cutting into old wood, as it is difficult for the tree to sprout from it
    • Cut deadwood at the base
    • Cut inward or rubbing branches on the Astring

    The cedar receives an important pruning immediately after planting. If you cut back the shoots by about 30 percent, the young tree will say thank you with vigorous branching that ends in a particularly bushy habit.

    watering cedar

    If the natural rainfall does not meet the water requirements 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 thoroughly and in good time. Small specimens in the bucket have a higher water requirement than a tree that stretches its roots in the ground to the groundwater.

    Fertilize cedar properly

    While a young cedar is still developing its root system, it will appreciate a dose of compost every 4 weeks. An older tree supplies itself self-sufficiently with all important nutrients. If you are cultivating a dwarf variety in a tub, apply a liquid fertilizer for green plants every 4 weeks from March to September.

    hibernate

    Since a cedar could suffer frost damage from temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius in combination with an icy east wind, we recommend the following protective measures in harsh winters and in wind-exposed locations:

    • Pile up the tree disc with a 20-30 cm thick layer of leaves and brushwood
    • Pack the crown with thatch, jute ribbons or a straw mat
    • Water the evergreen tree during the winter on frost-free days

    Planters are wrapped in bubble wrap before the first frost, placed on wood and a breathable hood is put over the crown.

    propagate cedar

    Propagating a cedar yourself is only recommended for hobby gardeners with a very long line of patience. Both the sowing of seeds and the care of cuttings can 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 seed is soaked in gibberellic acid. Cuttings root more quickly under a transparent hood that creates a warm, humid microclimate.

    How do I plant correctly?

    In the first 5 years, a cedar can still be transplanted without any problems. Start the project in autumn, when the tree is well established. In these steps it succeeds:

    • Cut out the root ball with a spade in a radius of half to two thirds of the growth height
    • Dig a generously sized trench, mix the soil with compost and refill
    • Water the tree regularly and extensively for over a year so that new fine roots form

    The following year you lift the tree out of the ground and plant it in the new location just as deep as before. A support post on the east side of the trunk provides the necessary stability during growth. Again, a regular water supply is of the utmost importance.

    Does a cedar have what it takes to be a bonsai?

    The cedar has proven to be a prime example of a magnificent outdoor bonsai. Their frugal pruning tolerance and wide range of locations 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 somewhat in winter
    • From March to September, fertilize with liquid or give bonsai fertilizer chunks every 2 weeks
    • At the beginning of spring, cut the branches into shape and wire carefully if necessary

    Every 3-4 years, repot the cedar bonsai into a larger pot and cut back the roots by about a third on this occasion. As a substrate, we recommend a mixture of bonsai soil and one third each of Akadama soil and lava granules.(13.99€)

    How does a cedar root?

    The cedar thrives as heart roots. According to this definition, it develops a root system that spreads in all directions. The main root extends slightly deeper into the soil, while the fine roots sprout far near the surface. Viewed in cross section, the shape is reminiscent of a heart.
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    Beautiful varieties

    • Blue Atlas Cedar: A popular cedar species with steel blue needles, robust hardiness and dense habit
    • Glauca pendula: A small garden form of the Blue Atlas Cedar that rarely grows taller than 5 metres
    • Fastigiata: Magnificent columnar cedar with blue needles, ideal for the small garden and container culture
    • Golden Horizon: Majestic Himalayan cedar with green-yellow needles and tilted crown
    • 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 frankincense cedar that smells wonderful, with green and yellow mixed needles

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Trees