How to Plant an Emerald Cedar Tree

Are you in search of a stunning statement tree or an appealing hedge to enhance your privacy? Look no further than the Emerald Cedar! This gorgeous, low-maintenance plant makes a wonderful addition to any landscape. Here are some helpful tips on how to successfully plant and care for your Emerald Cedar.

Emerald Cedars are ideal for hedging due to their dense, vibrant green foliage that extends along the entire trunk. As evergreens, their striking colour and naturally slender, columnar shape make them a fantastic choice for a focal point in your garden.

These trees can grow to approximately 20 feet in height and 5 feet in width over their 30-year lifespan. They typically increase in height by about 1 foot each year until reaching dimensions of 15 by 4 feet, after which their growth will begin to slow. Understanding how to plant an Emerald Cedar correctly will help you achieve the desired effect in your landscape design.


How to Plant an Emerald Cedar

To successfully plant any tree, start by digging a hole that is approximately twice as deep and wide as the root ball. This size will provide your young tree with ample loose soil, allowing its roots to establish themselves more easily and reducing transplant stress. As you refill the hole, mix in one handful of bone meal. This quantity will sufficiently nourish your Emerald Cedar for many years ahead.

Emerald Cedars are relatively low-maintenance, yet accommodating their specific needs will promote their long-term health and beauty. To support your tree throughout its life and avoid issues like root rot or fungal growth, ensure it has access to fertile, well-draining soil. Staying true to their family lineage, Emerald Cedars require consistent moisture, so the soil should never be dry. If feasible, plant them in neutral or alkaline soil for optimal growth.

To promote lush, dense foliage, plant your tree in a sunny area during early spring or fall. If you want your Emerald Cedar to stand out as a centerpiece in your landscape, select a location at least four feet away from fences, walls, or nearby plants.

Hedging

When planning to plant an Emerald Cedar hedge, the first consideration should be the desired height of your privacy screen. For a shorter hedge, position your trees 2 to 3 feet apart. If you aim for a screen taller than 8 feet, space them 4 to 6 feet apart. Keep in mind that it will take some time for your trees to fill in the gaps you create.

How to Maintain Emerald Cedars

Emerald cedars require minimal maintenance. For the first three weeks after planting, water them daily for a minimum of four minutes (or one hour using a drip hose). Following this initial period, keep an eye on the soil to ensure it stays moist without becoming muddy, until the ground freezes.

Fertilizing

Hedges can thrive with a shrub-and-tree or high nitrogen fertilizer applied before May to promote rapid growth. Since they aren’t competing for nutrients, there's no need to fertilize individual trees unless you observe signs of nutrient deficiency.

Pruning

Pruning is not required to attain the emerald cedar's naturally conical shape and will not promote new growth. During late fall or early winter, it's advisable to cut away any dead branches or those that are in contact with one another.


Now that you’ve mastered the art of planting an emerald cedar, it's time to sit back, unwind, and relish the beauty of your low-maintenance evergreen!