Cedar Trees for Landscaping: Ultimate Guide to Cedar Trees
Transform your outdoor space with aromatic, drought-tolerant Cedar trees that provide year-round privacy and stunning curb appeal
Cedar trees are among the most majestic and versatile evergreen trees for landscaping, offering homeowners drought-tolerant, low-maintenance options that deliver year-round beauty and natural elegance. Whether you're seeking privacy trees, windbreak trees, or simply want to add aromatic evergreens to your garden design, understanding the different types of Cedar trees will help you make the best choice for your landscape.
Fascinating Cedar Tree Facts
Cedar trees have captivated civilizations for millennia. The famous Cedar of Lebanon was prized by ancient Phoenicians for shipbuilding and mentioned in biblical texts over 70 times. These remarkable trees can live for over 1,000 years, with some specimens in Lebanon dating back more than 1,500 years. The aromatic Cedar wood naturally repels insects and resists decay, making it invaluable for construction and storage throughout history.
Modern Cedar trees are landscape champions. They can withstand temperature extremes from -40°F to 100°F, depending on species, making them incredibly adaptable to diverse climates. Their deep taproot systems can extend 6-8 feet underground, allowing them to access water during prolonged droughts while providing exceptional wind resistance.
Today in Part 5 - it’s all about the Cedar Tree!
- Distinctive Cedar Tree Characteristics
- Why Choose Cedar Trees for Your Landscape?
- True Cedar Tree Species Guide
- Cedar-Named Trees: Popular Landscaping Options
- How to Plant and Care for Cedar Trees
- Choosing the Right Cedar for Your Landscape
Distinctive Cedar Tree Characteristics
Understanding Cedar tree features helps in identification and selection:
Needle Characteristics:
- True Cedars feature 1-2 inch needle clusters arranged in spirals or rosettes
- Needle cross-sections are typically triangular or diamond-shaped
- Color ranges from deep green to silvery blue-green with seasonal variations
- Needle persistence: Most Cedar needles remain on trees for 3-6 years
- Aromatic oils in needles create the distinctive Cedar fragrance and natural pest resistance
Bark Textures and Patterns:
- Young Cedar bark appears smooth and grayish-brown
- Mature bark develops distinctive furrowed, plated patterns
- Atlas Cedar bark becomes deeply fissured with age
- Eastern Red Cedar features fibrous, shredding bark in reddish-brown strips
- Japanese Cedar displays attractive reddish-brown exfoliating bark
Cone Structure and Reproduction:
- Male cones appear as small catkins releasing yellow pollen in fall
- Female cones grow upright, barrel-shaped, 3-6 inches long
- Cone maturation takes 2-3 years before disintegrating to release seeds
- Seed dispersal occurs when mature cones break apart on the tree
- Cone colors range from green when young to brown or purple at maturity
Growth Patterns and Forms:
- Young Cedar trees typically display pyramidal shapes
- Mature specimens may develop broad, spreading canopies
- Branch architecture features horizontal layers with slightly drooping tips
- Growth rates vary from 12 inches to 36 inches annually, depending on species
- Mature heights range from compact 10-foot shrubs to towering 100-foot giants
Why Choose Cedar Trees for Your Landscape?
Benefits of planting Cedar trees:
- Drought tolerance after establishment
- Deer resistant due to natural aromatic oils
- Fast-growing privacy screen options
- Low-maintenance landscaping trees
- Pest-resistant evergreens
- Salt-tolerant trees for coastal areas
- Year-round green color
True Cedar Tree Species Guide
True Cedars belong to the Cedrus genus and are prized for their ornamental landscape value. While not native to North America, these Mediterranean climate trees thrive in many US growing zones.
Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) - Best for Warm Climates
Perfect for zones 7-11 landscaping
The Deodar Cedar is an excellent choice for drought-tolerant landscaping in warmer regions. This pyramidal evergreen tree features:
Key Characteristics:
- Mature height: 40-50 feet tall
- Needle color: Blue-green with silvery cast
- Growing zones: USDA 7-11
- Drought tolerance: Excellent once established
- Soil requirements: Well-drained, adaptable to poor soils
Landscaping uses:
- Specimen tree for large yards
- Mediterranean garden design
- Drought-resistant landscaping
- Ornamental shade tree
Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) - Cold Hardy Option
Ideal for mountain landscaping zones 6-8
The Atlas Cedar is your go-to choice for cold-climate evergreen landscaping:
Distinctive features:
- Mature size: 40-60 feet tall
- Needle appearance: Short blue-green needles with white bloom
- Cold hardiness: Zones 6-8
- Architectural branching is perfect for specimen planting
Popular varieties at Nature Hills:
- Blue Atlas Cedar - Enhanced blue needle color
- Weeping Atlas Cedar - Dramatic drooping form
- Horstmann Blue Atlas - Compact cultivar
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) - Historical Landscape Tree
Mediterranean landscaping zones 6-9
Known for its broad spreading canopy and historical significance:
- Gray-green resinous needles
- Pyramid to spreading form
- Excellent for large landscape spaces
- Drought and heat-tolerant
Cedar By Name: Popular Landscaping Options
Many native North American trees carry the "Cedar" name but belong to different plant families. These are often better choices for native landscaping and wildlife gardens.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) - Native Privacy Tree
The ultimate native evergreen for privacy screening
Why landscapers love Eastern Red Cedar:
- Native to zones 3-9
- Fast-growing privacy fence
- Road salt tolerance
- Wildlife habitat tree
- Drought-tolerant once established
Landscaping applications:
- Windbreak planting
- Natural privacy screen
- Erosion control trees
- Habitat landscaping
- Xeriscape gardening
Arborvitae (Thuja) - Top Choice for Privacy Hedges
White Cedar family - perfect hedge plants
American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis):
- Dense privacy screening
- Soft, scale-like foliage
- Easy to shear and shape
- Cold hardy to zone 3
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata):
- Fast-growing screen plant
- Excellent for Pacific Northwest landscaping
- Natural pest resistance
Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) - Ornamental Landscape Tree
Compact evergreens for smaller spaces
- Chapel View™ Japanese Cedar - 10 feet tall
- Globosa Nana - Dwarf mounding form
- Zone 6-9 hardiness
- Red exfoliating bark
How to Plant and Care for Cedar Trees
Site selection for Cedar trees:
- Full sun location (5-6 hours minimum)
- Well-draining soil - avoid standing water
- Protection from strong winds for young trees
Planting steps:
- Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball
- Plant at the same depth as the nursery container
- Backfill with native soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Apply a 3-4 inch deep arborist mulch layer
Cedar Tree Care and Maintenance
Watering requirements:
- Deep watering first 2 years
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Avoid overwatering - contributes to root rot
Fertilizing Cedar trees:
- Slow-release evergreen fertilizer in spring
- Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers
- Compost mulch provides natural nutrition
Pruning Cedar trees:
- Minimal pruning needed
- Remove dead or damaged branches
- Shape in late winter if necessary
Cedar Tree Identification Guide
True Cedars (Cedrus genus):
- Needle attachment: Clusters or spirals
- Cone type: Upright, barrel-shaped
- Needle shape: Triangular cross-section
Juniper "Cedars" (Juniperus):
- Foliage type: Scale-like or needle-like
- Berries: Blueberry-like cones
- Growth habit: Variable forms
Arborvitae "Cedars" (Thuja):
- Foliage pattern: Flat sprays
- Scale leaves: Overlapping pattern
- Cones: Small and papery
Choosing The Right Cedar For Your Landscape
Whether you're planning a privacy hedge, windbreak, or simply want low-maintenance evergreen trees for your landscape, Cedar trees offer unmatched versatility. From native Eastern Red Cedar to ornamental Atlas Cedar, there's a Cedar tree perfect for every landscape design and growing zone.
Ready to plant Cedar trees? Consider your climate zone, intended use, and mature size when making your selection. With proper planting and care, your Cedar trees will provide decades of year-round beauty and natural privacy!
Happy Planting!
