The Pros & Cons of Eastern Red Cedar

Cedar Tree

Cedar Trees are known for their aromatic wood, needle-like leaves, and distinctive conical shape. They are often used for lumber and ornamental landscaping. Cedar trees are widely used in landscaping for their aesthetic appeal and numerous practical benefits. These majestic trees are native to various regions, including Eastern North America and Canada. When incorporated into landscaping projects, they can transform the environment, enhance property value, and offer many advantages. It is primarily ornamental and is a member of the conifer family. Of course, this item can offer several benefits to the natural landscape, making it a good investment both now and for future generations. Cedar Trees Get Huge They typically grow between 100 and 130 feet tall, but in some cases, they can grow as tall as 200 feet. Its diameter is about 10 feet, making it much thinner than the oak or maple. Instead of leaves, they grow pine needles in addition to cones that yield fruit with seeds in females. In male types, the cones will produce pollen. There is also a sticky resin inside of them that helps protect them against predators. The Cedar Tree Can Last for Centuries Assuming favorable conditions, Cedar Trees typically live for about 100 years. However, they can live for up to 300 years and stay in your family for generations. In addition, they are easy to propagate, meaning you can get great value for your money both now and for the rest of your life. One of their most significant benefits is a fragrant aroma you'll notice when you walk outside. Depending on how close to your product's house is planted, it may be possible to smell the familiar pine scent just by opening your window. Therefore, growing just a few in your yard can help improve indoor air quality inside and outside your home. Preserve or Reclaim the Natural Landscape Using Cedar Tree This type of Cedar Tree tends to prevent soil erosion or at least stabilize the soil impacted by its root system. It can also attract squirrels, birds, and other creatures, which will help rejuvenate the local landscape further. Ultimately, this can help protect the viability of your property while possibly increasing its value as the landscape heals.

Running Cedar

Running Cedar is a creeping, evergreen plant with needle-like leaves that resemble fern fronds. It is commonly found in moist woodlands and forests. It features leaves that look pretty similar to the boughs of the tree bearing its name. This evergreen plant can make quite an attractive addition to your home, but why might you want to grow it there? Beyond its striking looks, here are a few key reasons it adds value to any yard. Running Cedar Can Tell You More About Your Environment It is a fern-like plant that's said to be adept at pulling pollutants out of its surroundings, which can help you improve the overall health of other plants in the area and remove some of the airborne contaminants that might impact your well-being. However, it's worth noting that the most significant benefit is what the plant reveals. Because it removes toxins, changes in the plant's health could indicate issues with the soil or the air that even this hardy little plant can't handle by itself. Running Cedar Will Stick With You It takes time to grow, but keep that from fooling you into thinking it will easily be weakened by weather and other threats. This fern ally is pretty hardy, ensuring that it will be able to persist in your space even if it is presented with some climate changes or other changes that other plants in your yard might not be able to withstand. Running Cedar Defends Against Soil Erosion and Flooding Running Cedar creeps along your yard, but it's important to remember that this isn't a traditional moss. This vascular plant has root systems, allowing it to defend against soil erosion more effectively. Its love of moisture also means that it can protect against flooding and absorb more water when it appears. Running Cedar is small, but it spreads out, making it an excellent, lush green ground cover for any space in your yard. Unlike traditional moss, it also has the added benefit of the stately strobili, which reaches into the air to add volume and help the plant reproduce.

Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae is a fast-growing evergreen tree with vibrant, emerald-green foliage, a tall, columnar shape, and dense branching. It is a popular choice for privacy screens and windbreaks in landscaping. It is a highly advantageous and versatile evergreen tree widely used in landscaping. Belonging to the Cupressaceae family, this tree offers many benefits, making it an excellent choice for various outdoor spaces. Green Giant Arborvitae gets its name from its vast size. They can expand as towering as 60 feet with a diameter of 18 or more feet. These massive trees are part of the Cupressaceae or cypress family. Their scientific name is Thuja standishii x plicata. Although, that's often shorted to just the Thuja. This evergreen started in 1967 when a single tree made its way to the U.S. National Arboretum from Denmark. Recognizing the positive landscaping qualities of this evergreen, propagations were sent out. Today, it's known for its ability to adapt to numerous climates. The Hybrid Green Giant Arborvitae The Thuja standishii x plicata is a hybrid tree. It was created in Denmark in 1937, using the Thuja Plicate or Western Red Cedar and the Thuja Standishii or Japanese type. While it was being sent out from the U.S. National Arboretum, The massive evergreen was confused with the T. Occidentalis Giganteoides. Luckily, three botanists from the New York Botanic Garden, USNA, and Holden Arboretum uncovered the tree's true roots. Once its true roots were known, it was given its current name to delineate it from other similar evergreen trees. Green Giant Arborvitae Is A Fast Grower  The Thuja standishii x plicata has a fast growth rate of three to five feet per year. At thirty years old, it averages 30 feet in height and can continue to grow up to 60 feet. It's characterized by its cone shape and the uniform appearance of its foliage. Green Giant Arborvitae Does Well In Parks  Due to its massive size, this tree does well in large yards and parks where Leyland Cypress may not be desirable. Benefits of the Thuja Standishii X Plicata The Thuja standishii x plicata keeps its color all year, even through winter. Gardeners with large yards can plant these evergreens to create natural privacy barriers. These trees attract deer who forage for food, and birds tend to make their nests in them. Gardeners and landscapers love the Green Giant Arborvitae for its rapid growth and ability to create privacy screens. These trees work best for more significant properties.