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InsightHorizon Digest

How close should you plant cedar trees

Author

John Parsons

Updated on April 13, 2026

Space seedlings or very small plants, under 1 foot tall, between 8 and 18 inches apart. Taller plants, usually sold in 3-gallon or larger pots, should be spaced between 5 and 7 feet apart.

How close together can you plant cedar trees?

tall. Select a sunny location carefully and do not plant trees any closer than five feet (1.5 m.) apart.

How far should cedars be planted from a fence?

It should be planted 8 to 14 feet away from the fence.

What is the best time to plant cedar trees?

Plant cedar after the soil thaws in early spring. You can also plant in fall, but keep in mind that late summer heatwaves can stress the newly planted tree. Remove the cedar tree from the container. The tree can be planted as is if the root ball is wrapped loosely in natural burlap, which will eventually rot.

How do you plant cedars for privacy?

  1. Do it at the right time. If possible, plant your cedars as soon as the ground has thawed in early spring. …
  2. Calculate how many cedar trees you’ll need. …
  3. Dig a trench. …
  4. Amend the soil. …
  5. Plant your cedars. …
  6. Water frequently. …
  7. Maintain your hedge.

What cedars make the best hedges?

The Western Red Cedar is an excellent choice for larger hedges or a larger individual conifer. It is one of the fastest growing cedars. It can grow 30 – 60 centimeters (1-2 feet) per year. As a hedge it will make an excellent wind and noise breaker.

How fast do cedar trees grow?

Cedars, in general, can grow over 25 inches a year for their fastest rate of growth, but usually fall in a range of 12 to 24 inches annually.

Where do cedar trees grow best?

The cedar tree commonly grows in areas of moist soil. It is often found in swamps and other areas of water accumulation. The trees also exist on rocky slopes or amidst mixed conifers. Cedars prefer to be planted in acid-based soils but will grow in clay.

Can you overwater a cedar tree?

Examine your cedar. … Cedars are shallow-rooted and prone to drought stress. Make sure you water the trees during dry periods and mulch to help maintain moisture in soil. On the other hand, overwatering can kill roots, so use sprinklers at short intervals during the day to keep soil constantly damp.

How can I make my cedar tree grow faster?

True cedars need occasional deep watering in hot summer months to thrive, and fertilizing heat-stressed cedars would only make matters worse. On the other hand, fertilize cedars regularly if you want faster growth on young trees, if plants are growing in poor soils or if they need to repair damage.

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Are cedar trees good for privacy?

Cryptomeria or Japanese Cedar Not only do these trees add ornamental value to the landscape, but they also make an excellent privacy screen. … Since these trees can reach 50 to 60 feet tall and spread 20 to 30 feet, we like to space them 5 to 6 feet apart for a dense privacy screen or perimeter planting.

How close to a fence can I plant a tree?

Wall-trained trees should be planted at least 20cm (8 inches) from the wall to allow for the radial growth of the trunk. To keep root problems to a minimum, dig the planting hole about 20cm-40cm away from the wall, and lean the young tree into the wall, so that the roots are away from the base of the wall.

What can I plant near cedars?

I’ve successfully grown clematis, echinops (globe thistle), kale, lillies, ferns, heuchera, hostas, marigolds, peonies, persicaria, philadelphus (mock orange) roses, rudbeckia, tomatoes, weigelia and wild ginger in quite close proximity to the fifteen cedar trees in my back yard.

What can you plant next to cedar trees?

  • Ground Covers. Acid-loving ground covers that tolerate shade and dry soils will creep along the ground underneath the cedar tree, creating a carpet of foliage that hides the unattractive ground. …
  • Perennials. …
  • Shrubs. …
  • Ferns.

What can I plant around cedars?

Two woodland plants, alum root (Heuchera) and foam flower (Tiarella) have become very popular as groundcover for semi-shaded areas like those under cedars. Breeders have created heuchera varieties with leaves in shades including bronze, pewter, pink-beige and chartreuse, some with veins in contrasting shades.

What is the lifespan of a cedar tree?

Native to Virginia, the Eastern Red Cedar typically lives about 150 years, although some live to be as old as 300 years.

Do cedar trees keep bugs away?

Cedar has long been used as a natural way to repel and inhibit insects like termites, certain ants, moths, mosquitoes, and cockroaches.

Do cedars attract mosquitoes?

Fact is that cedars (Thuya species) attract mosquitos no more or less than any other evergreen. … Cedars have gained a reputation for attracting mosquitos because native cedars thrive in low lying areas where soil is nearly swampy.

What is the fastest growing cedar tree?

A fast-growing evergreen for year round screens and windbreaks, the Green Rocket® Hybrid Cedar (Thuja Plicata x Standishii) can grow 3 ft. or more per year. In fact, on the east coast there have been several instances of 5 ft. of growth in a single season on established plants.

Why do ranchers cut down cedar trees?

Cedar trees also absorb a great deal of water, which robs the land and water sources of their water supply. In a normal year, this is not as much of a problem. But during dry years it can really hinder grass production, which is ultimately what ranching is all about. Another reason to keep cedars away is cosmetic.

Why are my newly planted cedar trees turning brown?

Young, recently planted cedars will show stress, manifested as browning, if you move them around. Cedars of any age can brown if you don’t irrigate them properly. Prune dead foliage during fall when the tree is dormant. Learn how to detect and prevent destructive insects that can cause your cedar to turn brown.

Do cedar trees turn brown in the fall?

Cedar trees turn brown, yellow or orange for a few reasons: Seasonal Needle Drop. It’s a normal cycle all cedar trees go through. Here’s how it works: around late summer or early fall, cedars and most conifers need to let go of older, interior needles that are no longer doing the tree much good.

How far do cedar tree roots spread?

These adaptable trees flourish throughout much of the U.S., hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 2 to 9. As the Eastern red cedar ages, however, it will also develop a shallow root system that will extend out as much as 20 feet from the main root stem.

How much water do cedar trees need?

Watering thoroughly is key for helping cedars take root after planting. It is important to keep cedars watered during dry weather. A deep thorough watering once or twice a week is better than light, frequent watering.

How wide do cedar trees get?

This tree has dark green, dense, attractive needles and an upright, narrow form. Native trees can grow to over 200 feet, although most cultivated trees remain around 60 to 80 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide.

What is the best soil for cedar trees?

Cedars prefer a moist, organic, rich, well drained soil. They dislike both dry, sandy soils as well as excessibely moist clay soils. Water these plants deeply but less often ( especially during the summer or for new plantings). Adding a yearly application of fresh mulch is beneficial.

How much sun do cedar trees need?

A cedar tree needs partial shade to sun (sun is equivalent to less than six hours of continuous sunlight per day). When designing a landscape that incorporates cedar trees, choose a spot that gets all morning sun or a few hours of the hot, afternoon sun.

What can I plant to block neighbors view?

Arborvitae is a great option for blocking neighbors’ views because, even though they are dense enough to protect your yard quickly after they are purchased, they do not grow quickly or to great heights, most of the time, and maintenance is relatively simple compared to other trees.

What is a fast growing tree for privacy?

What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.

What is the fastest growing plant for privacy?

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, so it can create a lush and exotic privacy screen very quickly. Some varieties of bamboo are invasive, so consider picking a slow-spreading, clumping variety, or planting it in large raised planters to keep it under control.

How close to property line can you plant trees?

So, if a tree sits on a property line, it’s considered common property and you are both owners. For this reason, you cannot legally plant a tree on the property line without permission from your neighbor. It’s best to plant trees 3 – 4 feet from all property lines to leave room for future growth.