Cedrus spp. Tree hedges can make a bold statement, draw attention to the area or provide a backdrop for smaller plants or statuary. A cedar hedge acts as a windbreak and alters or creates microclimates in the landscape. C. deodara golden needled “Aurea”, which grows slowly to a mature height of 15 feet, and “Snow Sprite,” with its silvery green needles and cream tips, can reach 12 feet tall in 10 years. The green-needled C. deodara grows taller at 80 feet and has a 40-foot spread. C. Atlantica (also known as C. brevifolia), C. libani, and C. Atlantica are other green species. They can reach heights between 40 and 80 feet and have spreads of 30 and 80 feet. Cedar trees are native to the Mediterranean and West Himalayas. They thrive in full sun, well-drained soil in USDA plant hardiness zones 6-9.
People plant cedars for privacy, while others do it to avoid looking at neighbors’ trashy yards. Some people also enjoy the beauty of a hedge in their landscape.
These are some tips to help you create a successful cedar hedge:
1. It’s important to do it right at the right moment
Plant your cedars as soon after the ground has thawed. It is also possible to wait until fall. You can also wait until the fall to water your hedges.
2. Calculate the number of cedar trees that you will need
After you have determined the location of your hedge (check with your neighbors in advance), calculate how many cedars will be needed to make it a good border. You should leave 75 cm between each cedar. If you plan to plant your hedge in the street, you must respect the law-required distance from the pavement.
3. Dig a trench
Dig a trench that is approximately 80 cm wide and 40 cm deep to plant cedars.
4. Modify the soil
You can plant cedars in any soil that is porous or crumbly if it is not. To retain water and fertilizer, sphagnum moss can be used if the soil is sandy or gravelly. Talk to the staff at a garden center or plant nursery to determine how many amendments are needed for your hedge.
5. Plant your cedars
Make sure that the roots are well covered before you plant the trees. You should water the roots and trench soil well. Before filling the trench, wait until the soil has absorbed all the water.
6. Drink water often
Watering cedar trees properly is an essential part of learning how to plant them. Your new hedge should be watered at least once per week, for an hour. The soil should remain moist, but not dry. You may have cedars that change in color. If they become dry and prickly from lack of water, it could be that you are overwatering them.
7. Keep your hedge in good condition
Stop giving your hedge fertilizer in July to ensure it survives winter. Most cedars do not require winter protection. Your hedge should be trimmed at least once per year, in the period from mid-June to late September. It should be cut back on both ends to prevent it from expanding too much.
If you need additional help in planting a cedar hedge, do not hesitate to visit a nursery or garden center. There, you will find experts who know how to create a beautiful hedge.
