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What are the Best Tips for Planting Cedar Trees?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

When planting cedar trees, gardeners should make sure to plant them in the right location. Some things to consider planting is the amount of sunlight the area receives, whether or not the ground holds water, and the proximity to things such as power lines and buildings. It is also important to keep the roots moist before putting them in the ground. Other things to think about are the time of year and condition of soil where the seedlings are planted.

Cedar trees normally need to be planted in areas that have full sun. Even so, they can sometimes do well if there is only filtered sunlight in the morning or afternoon. People who are planting cedar trees should take care not to do so in locations that have full shade or less than six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Woman with a flower
Woman with a flower

Gardeners should also make sure the ground has good drainage. This means planting cedar trees in areas where water stands after a heavy rain is not a good idea. Trees should also not be placed near the edge of a river or stream, as these locations could be excessively damp at times.

Before planting cedar trees, homeowners may want to check for things such as overhead power lines, fences, or buildings. People may also want to consider whether or not there are other large trees in the area. Seedlings should be planted five to ten feet from any permanent structures whenever possible. They should also not be placed directly underneath power lines, above sewers, or close to other large trees. When two or more seedlings are sown, they should be at least five feet apart.

The roots of a cedar tree should not be allowed to dry out. Gardeners may want to keep them in a bucket of water while they are digging the holes to plant them. After being placed in the ground, the soil should be kept continuously moist for the first month and watered regularly thereafter to keep the roots from dying.

Spring is generally the best time of year for planting cedar trees. Planting should take place after the ground has thawed and there is no more danger of frost. This can vary from one region to the next, so growers may want to consult an almanac for advice. Gardeners might also want to add organic matter, such as kitchen compost or shredded yard waste, to the soil in order to add nutrients.

Cedar trees are normally very easy specimens to care for. They are also very hardy and need little maintenance once they are established. Cedar trees provide shade, habitat for small wildlife, wind breaks and can even be used as Christmas trees. These factors make them a good choice for both residential and commercial growing.

Discussion Comments

Talentryto

@heavanet- Making sure that a cedar tree has the right amount of moisture is just as important as providing enough sun. I found that building up a small incline of gardening soil and peat moss makes an ideal foundation for cedar trees, because excessive water will either flow away from them or be absorbed.

Heavanet

The tip in this article about making sure that cedar trees get adequate sun should definitely be taken seriously. I planted a cedar tree in a shady area with lots of shrubs several years ago, and it did not thrive. I had to replant it, and am still nursing it back to health.

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