Cedars develop into stately trees and give the outdoor area an unmistakable character. While the trees initially grow at a low speed, they gain more and more growth over time and reach considerable proportions.
Cedars need a lot of space for their roots
root growth
Cedars are heart roots, which shows up as a mix of deep and shallow spreading roots. In cross-section, the root ball is reminiscent of the shape of a heart with a main root that runs vertically down and the richly branched side roots. The more impermeable the soil, the more shallow roots the cedar develops. These run through a depth range of about 30 centimeters. Conversely, more deep roots are present in well-drained substrates.
How to plant cedars
The ideal planting time is from September to October, although you should prefer mild autumn days. Dig a planting pit whose volume is twice the root volume. Place the tree in the middle of the hole and fill it up with the excavation. A support post ensures that the shallow-rooted plants find more stability in the first few years. Tamp down the soil well and water the cedar deeply and liberally.
Notes on the growing place:
- only plant out young cedars in open spaces
- Avoid planting in the front yard and on property edges
- Maintain a distance of at least four and preferably seven meters from buildings
- ideally, the distance is half of the expected growth width
Control root spread
Adult specimens develop stately dimensions and an impressive appearance over the course of decades. However, home and garden owners are noticing the damage that underground roots can do. They lift pavement slabs, destroy lines in the ground or cause cracks in building facades. Therefore, carry out annual pruning measures immediately after planting.
containment options
Ingrown and firmly rooted trees can be contained at any time, both in the root and in the crown area. You can see from the bonsai art that such interventions do not harm the trees. All that is important is a good balance between the root ball and the crown, so that growth is not disturbed. It is not easy for the layperson to assess this relationship correctly.
tips
The root system is similar in size to the crown of the tree so that the tree is firmly anchored. Therefore, estimate the severity of the cuts on the branches of the crown that you are removing.
problems in old trees
Even if you can delay the impending dangers by a few years by cutting measures, risks cannot be completely ruled out. The regular cutting of roots and branches results in unbalanced and one-sided growth, which reduces stability in storms. This effect occurs especially when the main root has to be cut. In addition, the annual maintenance procedures are cost-intensive because they have to be repeated every year.