How far apart should you plant red cedar trees

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 far apart should I plant my cedar trees?

When using cedars as a hedge, space each plant 2-3ft apart (from the trunks). Add an extra foot between plants for ‘Excelsa’. Dig the holes for your plants. Make sure the planting hole is at least twice the width of the rootballs and the same depth, or slightly shallower.

How wide do red cedars grow?

Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) generally grows to around 40 feet high, but can grow as tall as 90 feet. Its width at maturity can be 8 to 20 feet wide.

How fast do red cedars grow?

Above ground, the tree grows 1′ to 2′ per year on a single trunk. It matures at about 40′ to 50′ tall and 8′ to 20′ wide, becoming rounder with age. Very old specimens are capable of growing 80′ or more feet tall and 30′ or more feet wide.

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.

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 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.

Do deer eat red cedar trees?

Whitetails will eat red cedar if nothing else is available, but they can barely sustain themselves on it. If they’re eating it at all, it’s an indicator of poor habitat.

What eats red cedar?

The fruits of Eastern Red Cedar are eaten throughout the winter by many birds and by mammals such as mice and voles, Eastern Cottontail, Red and Gray Foxes, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, and Opossum. White-tailed Deer browse on the foliage when better forage is unavailable.

How do you plant a red cedar tree?

1. Remove the weeds, grass and debris from a planting site located in full to partial sun. …
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the roots and just as deep with a shovel. …
3. Create a mound of soil in the bottom of the hole.

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How long does a red cedar live?

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

How far do Western red cedar tree roots spread?

The Western red cedar, hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, has a more shallow root system than the Eastern red cedar. This tree has roots that are closer to the average of 6 to 8 feet, but its roots spread as far as those of the Eastern red cedar.

Are cedar trees slow growing?

Western red cedar is a slow-growing, long-lived tree that can reach heights of 200 feet by 20 feet wide. Western red cedar grows best in deep, moist soils. It has scale-like leaves, rather than needles. Plant it on a level area rather than a slope, where it is sometimes prone to blow-over.

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.

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.

How much water do new cedar trees need?

A freshly planted hedge should usually be watered once or twice a week during the first month in order to maintain soil moisture (this one will have been watered thoroughly during planting).

What is best fertilizer for cedar trees?

Cedar hedges need regular feeding to produce lush, healthy growth. Feed your cedar hedge in early spring, using an organic-based tree and shrub plant food with an NPK ratio such as 18-8-8. Water the hedge thoroughly, as fertilizing dry soil can burn the roots.

Do cedar trees 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.

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.

Can I cut the top off my cedar tree?

Avoid topping the tree, if possible, shearing only the top foliage. If topping is necessary to reduce the height significantly, remove less than one-fourth of the tree height. The tree will regrow slowly at the top, so cut in a place that allows the cut top to be hidden or is less obtrusive.

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.

Do birds eat red cedar berries?

Many other songbirds consume cedar berries regularly during the long months of winter — bluebirds, mocking birds, grosbeaks, purple finches, and mockingbirds just to name a few from a long list. The fruit is also eaten by gamebirds — wild turkeys, quail and pigeons.

Is it hard to grow cedar trees?

Cedar trees are not hard to grow and will give elegance to any space where they have room to spread. The trees start easily from seed but require a 48-hour soaking period and another month in the refrigerator, along with some potting soil in a zip lock bag. The soil must be kept moist during this time.

Can you eat red cedar berries?

Eastern red cedar berries are related to common juniper berries but are superior in flavor. They are mild without the turpentine notes and bitterness of common juniper. They are almost sweet with a woodsy, piney flavor. … The berries can be eaten dried, fresh, chopped, or powdered.

How do you prepare cedars for winter?

Caring for most trees, including cedars, starts with a nice layer of mulch. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch at the base of cedar trees can help protect shallow roots, reduce the depth of frost in the soil, retain soil moisture, and ensure they can take up some water through the more frigid months.

Do cedars come back after deer eat them?

You see, like most conifers, cedars won’t regrow from old wood. When you prune them, you always have to stay within the shrub’s green growth, that of last two years. As soon as you reach the inner branches that are completely brown, you have to stop. There are no dormant buds there to fill in with new growth.

How do I keep deer from eating my cedar trees?

1. Apply deer repellent to or around the tree. …
2. Enclose cedar seedlings and young, small trees in wire mesh cages. …
3. Surround taller cedars with fencing. …
4. Enclose the tree area with fencing for severe problems.

Do red cedars need a lot of water?

It is imperative that the trees have adequate water to use soil nutrients and prevent tree death. Cedar trees are drought tolerant but thrive better with a regular watering schedule. Newly transplanted, young cedar trees require more watering than established or older trees.

How far apart do you plant Eastern red cedars?

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 much water do red cedars need?

In regards to water, an often-quoted value is 30 gallons a day for how much a redcedar tree actually uses.

What is Red Cedar worth?

It typically sells for $5 per board foot. Cedar wood that may exhibit a few minor characteristics which do not detract from their high appearance and quality such as a very light torn grain, very light skips on the non-graded face and very light warp are sold for half the price.