Common mistakes when caring for cedars

Cedars are a great addition to any garden project but they can be tricky to care for. You might be wondering how to take care of cedars?

Nothing really compares to cedars when it comes to choosing a tree that offers both privacy and aesthetics. Plus in a province like Ontario, where we experience all the seasons, cedars look great all year round!

Cedars may seem difficult to maintain but you might just be making a few simple mistakes that once corrected, will change the way you look at caring for your them. The location, transplant process and maintenance routine are all important factors in the healthy and survival or your cedars.

Cedars like water and sunlight! Make sure your cedars are not planted in an area where they will get shade all the time or on a hill where water can roll away from them.

Your cedars need time to recover from transplant shock, if your plant them to close to – or during summer, they won’t be able to recover from the transplant and will likely die in the extreme heat and dry stress summer will expose them to. Fall is the best time to plant, but if necessary it can be done in early spring, but is not ideal.

One of the most common mistakes is crowding your cedars. The recommended space between will depend on the variety of the cedar your planting. Be sure to check with the nursery on placement and planting before you transplant.

• Watering the whole tree instead of just the soil. The water that comes from the hose contains chemicals like chlorine that will burn and brown your cedar leaves
• Watering too quickly, allowing runoff instead of deep absorption
• Watering frequently and lightly instead of weekly and deeply. This means the water doesn’t penetrate deep enough and won’t create deep root system

• Not adding mulch at all which means soil will retain less water and weeds or pests will invade taking vital nutrients. Read blog on mulching benefits.
• Making a mound up against the base of the trees. This will block sun, decay or rot the root and cause insect infestation

• Not fertilizing. Adding fertilizer stakes to your cedars can help deliver vital nutrients to help them thrive
• Over fertilizing. There is such a thing as adding too much fertilizer. Over-fertilizing will kill your plants, trees and lawn.
• Not using quality topsoil or garden soil when transplanting

Proper installation is key when it comes to the health of your plants and shrubs. Proper maintenance, pruning and weeding are just as important. Leave the dirty work to us, Maggio has you covered.

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