cedrus

( SEE - druss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen trees, commonly called Cedar, needs full sun and moderate water. They bear their needles in clusters, and produce copious amounts of pollen when in bloom, covering nearby structures, plants, vehicles - you name it! - in a heavy yellow dusting. Take care when planting these trees in the landscape, as they can really be a problem for allergy-sufferers, especially in springtime when the flowers bloom. These are deep-rooted trees that are drought-tolerant once established. The plants in this species are great for adding year-round foliage to gardens for privacy, groundcover, or as specimen trees.

CEdrus Species and Varietals

The genus Cedrus is a member of the plant family Pinaceae and includes just 5 species. There are many trees that have been commonly called Cedars over the years, but none (except the ones in this genus) are considered true Cedars. Ideal growing zones for these trees vary depending on the species grown. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Cedrus atlantica (Cedrus libani atlantica) (Atlas Cedar)
This species grows well in zones 3b-10 and 14-24. They are slow growing, and reach 60 feet tall or more and 30 feet wide. A bit awkward in their youth, they grow into handsome, full trees clothed in blue-green needles. This species is native to the Rif and Atlas Mountains in Morocco and to the Tell Atlas Mountains in Algeria. Varieties of this species are listed below.
'Aurea' 
With golden needles.
'Glauca Pendula' 
​With silvery-blue foliage.
'Silberspitz' 
​With creamy white new foliage.
'Glauca Fastigiata' 
​With columnar growth and silvery-blue foliage.
'Horstman' 
​Compact, grows 6-8 inches per year.
'Pendula'
​(Weeping Atlas Cedar)
​Great over walls or in large containers, with a weeping habit.

Cedrus brevifolia (Cyprus Cedar, Cyprian Cedar)
Grows well in zones 5-10 and 14-24, and is native to Cyprus. Reaches 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide, with short needles and small cones. Slow grower. This species is native to central Cyprus.
Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar, Himalayan Cedar, Deodar)
This species has many interesting varieties and grows well in zones 3b-10 and 14-24. These trees are native to the Himalayas and reach 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Lower branches sweep the ground and then turn upward, upper branches are evenly spaced, open and graceful. This tree has a soft, light texture, and foliage density can be increased through springtime pruning of side branches.
'Feelin' Blue'
This variety has bluish foliage and a spreading habit, reaching 2 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
'Gold Cone'
Fast grower, with golden outer needles and blue-green inner needles.
'Pendula' ('Prostrata')
This variety can be used as a groundcover, and is also attractive spilling over walls.
'Prostrate Beauty'
Reaches 1.5-2 feet tall and 7-8 feet wide in about 10 years.
'Snow Sprite'
Reaches 12 feet tall and just as wide in 10 years; Foliage is silver-green and has cream-colored tips.
'White Imp'
This variety reaches just 3 feet tall and wide, with white new growth.
'Blue Snake'
This variety has blue foliage and a low, creeping habit, though it can be staked upright.

​Cedrus libani (Cedar of Lebanon, Lebanese Cedar)
Grows well in zones 3-10 and 14-24, and is native to Lebanon and Turkey. Reaches 80 feet tall in about as many years, and has a variable habit. New growth is bright green, older growth darker. Picturesque in maturity without pruning. Varieties include 'Pendula' (with a weeping form) and 'Glauca Pendula' (with blue foliage and a weeping habit).

Caring for and pruning cedrus Trees

These trees should be planted in a spot in the garden or landscape that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sun exposure daily. They need ample light to perform well and have dense foliage. Avoid planting these trees too close to buildings or hardscaped areas, as their root system needs plenty of space to grow, and they also drop fragrant, sticky resin. They prefer soil to be well-draining, and have a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). They can grow in a wide variety of soil types, from loamy to sandy to clay. Ensure the planting side has good drainage, and if it does not, amend with organic matter or sand before installation. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of trees after planting, keeping the mulch a few inches away from the trunk. Young trees will need regular waterings to help establish a deep, strong root system. Once established, these trees are considered to be relatively drought-tolerant, and can get by with little water, but do prefer the occasional deep watering for optimal health. Avoid overwatering these trees, as they can develop issues with root rot. These trees are cold-hardy and can tolerate a wide range of climates, though young trees may need some protection from extreme cold or late springtime frosts, when new foliage can be damaged by low temperatures.

Cedar trees are not heavy feeders. If they seem to be struggling, or if soil is particularly poor, they may benefit from a feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in springtime to promote healthy growth for the year. Minimal pruning is needed; simply remove dead, damaged, or diseased plant parts and shape as necessary. The best time to prune Cedar trees is in late winter or early springtime before new growth is pushed out for the year. These trees are slow growers, and too much pruning can make trees look spindly and unhealthy. 

Propagation

Cedar trees can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Cedar, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cedrus by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In late summer or fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch semi hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower 2/3rds. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about three months have passed, your cutting should be starting to root. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Cedrus by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a sealable bag or other container partially filled with sand or peat moss, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. Seeds are contained inside of the cones that drop from the tree. Collect cones from the ground, and place them in a paper bag in a cool, dark, dry place while they continue to open and release seeds. After a few weeks, most seeds should be loose, and at that point, they can be removed from the bag.
  3. Cedrus seeds need to be cold-stratified before planting. To accomplish this, place the seeds in a sealable bag or other container filled with sand or peat moss (or a mix of the two). Moisten the substrate and place the bag or container in the refrigerator for a few weeks. This will improve the chances that seeds will germinate. After this period has passed, take the seeds out and lay them on a flat surface.
  4. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  5. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Cedar seeds are contained inside of mature cones, which will drop from trees when seeds are ready to be dispersed.
Cedar seeds.

Problems and Pests

Cedar trees can have issues with the following pests and diseases:
  • ​Rust (including Juniper-Apple Rust)
  • Needle and Twig Blight
  • Armillaria Root Rot
  • Scale
  • Deodar Weevil
  • Aphids
  • Bark Beetles
  • Nematodes
  • Canker
For more information on these problems, including how to solve them, see the following links:

Gallery

Cedrus deodara has a beautiful, drooping habit.
Pendulous or weeping varieties of Cedrus species are great for planting on hillsides or in tiered landscapes.
These evergreens provide great privacy year-round.
Cedrus trees and shrubs can be used as bonsai specimens.
Cedrus libani tends to form levels of foliage and takes on the look of a Monterey Cypress.
This pendulous form of weeping Cedar is used as a specimen tree.
Although these trees can be a bit large for most landscapes, they are great at providing shade for homes and outdoor gathering areas.
Weeping Cedrus cultivars catch the eye of passers-by.
Cedrus trees can be kept small through pruning practices, and are popular specimens in Asian gardens.

Videos

How to grow Atlas Cedar trees.
Learn about these cedar trees.
Learn about this interesting cultivar of Cedrus atlantica.
An introduction to Deodar Cedar.
Learn how to prune these interesting trees.
All about Deodar Cedar.

Resources

Cedrus atlantica (Atlas Cedar)
Cedrus: True Cedars
How to Plant and Care for Cedars
American Conifer Society
Wikipedia: Cedrus
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 228 - 229, Cedrus
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