The Different Types of Cedar Trees
While there are many types of faux cedar trees, like the Western red cedar, Eastern red cedar, Northern white cedar, and the Alaskan yellow cedar, there are only four real cedar trees in the world. Learning more about each real cedar tree may help you make the right choice for your landscaping.
Atlas Cedar Tree
You would have to jump on a plane and head to the North African regions of Morocco or Algeria to see the Atlas cedar tree in its native region. There, you would see extensive forests of these trees growing in mountainous areas, with many trees reaching about 115 feet tall. If you live in a temperate climate in zones 6 to 9, the Atlas cedar tree may be the perfect choice for your landscaping because of its drought and heat tolerance.
When used in landscaping, these trees often grow to be about 60 feet tall and have a 40-foot spread, so be sure that you have enough room for this tree to grow. Do not expect this tree to reach its mature height for about five years, and it requires regular watering until it stops growing. Most will form a coniferous form, but there are a few hybrids that take on different shapes. An example is the Glauca Pendula, which grows to be about 10 feet tall with a weeping form. You may want to consider using the Atlas cedar tree if you have room because its needles give off a natural oil that deters insects.
This cedar tree grows well in full sun or partial shade, and it is not too picky about the soil where you plant it if it drains well. Its bluish-green needles grow to be about 1.5-inches long. Male barrel-shaped pinecones that are about 2.5-inches long sit on this tree's lower branches. Female cones grow higher on the tree, and they have a purplish tint to them.
Deodar Cedar Trees
You would need to make a trek to the Himalayan Mountains to see deodar cedar trees in their natural habitat. People of the Hindu faith consider this tree sacred, and its name means "timber of the Gods" when translated. On your trek, you would have to look way up to find the top of these trees as they often grow to be over 160-feet tall.
If you live in growing zones 7 to 11, this fast-growing cedar may be an excellent choice. When used in landscaping, this tree usually grows to be about 50 feet tall and has a 30-foot spread. You may be surprised to learn that this tree is one of the heartiest for people who live in hot and humid areas. It will thrive in almost any type of soil if you keep the ground moist. It needs the full sun to thrive, so consider how much light the area you want to plant gets throughout the day. This tree will usually grow more than 36 inches in a single year, and it may live for more than 150 years.
This species will grow pyramidal. If you plan on planting it near sidewalks or paths, then prune off the lower branches. It produces sharp-tipped bluish-green or silvery needles that grow to be about 1.5 inches long each year. In the spring, this tree will lose its needles from the previous year when it puts on new ones. It also produces reddish-brown, oval pine cones that are about 3 inches long.
This tree usually grows to be about 80 feet tall when used as an ornamental in landscaping. It thrives in zones 5 to 9. Its spread will often be about 70 feet. It is a particularly great choice for those living in areas where it is cold most of the winter because it tolerates cold weather exceptionally well.
The Cedar of Lebanon will have a pyramidal shape, like a young tree. When it matures, however, it opens and has a flat top. This option has highly textured bark, so it is often chosen for inclusion in estate gardens. The oils in this tree give off a beautiful aroma. The needles on this tree are square-shaped and grow to be about 1.5 inches long.
Cones will not appear on it for at least 25 years. When they finally appear, male cones are about 1.5 inches long and mature from light green to light brown. Female cones are about the same size, and they mature to be grayish-brown in color when ripe. It takes approximately 18 months for each cone to develop.
Cyprian Cedar
Native to the Paphos, Tripylos, and Troodes mountain ranges in Cyprus, the Cyprian Cedar is the rarest of the four true cedars. A few are also found in Turkey and Syria. In its native setting, this tree will grow to be about 80 feet tall.
Homeowners in zones 5 to 8 can grow this option in their landscaping. When used in parks and yards, it usually grows to be about 50 feet tall. In many ways, this tree looks like a miniature Cedar of Lebanon tree, except that it produces horizontal branches. This tree's needles appear in small clumps. They are yellowish-green needles, and they can be up to 0.75 inches long. The needles grow on short stems completely around each branch.
The male and the female pinecones on this tree are light brown and can be up to 4 inches long. Planting cedar trees can be a beautiful addition to your property, community event spaces and commercial areas. We make that easy by giving you discounts when you buy in bulk.
Red Cedar Trees
The Red Cedar species can refer to The Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata), The Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) and The Australian Red Cedar (Toona Ciliata). These are the different types of Red Cedar trees that can be found.
The Western Red Cedar:
The Eastern Red Cedar:
The Australian Red Cedar:
The Australian Red Cedar is species of Red Cedar and is deciduous. They grow up to a height of 60 m, and the size of the trunk is approximately 3 m in diameter. This species is very durable and has a fine scent. They are commercially used for making furniture due to the durability of wood. The Australian Red Cedar has a rapid growth rate and has small white flowers on them. The Eastern Red Cedar or Juniperus Virginiana is also a perennial tree and remain green throughout the year. The leaves are green and scaly like the western red cedar. These trees grow up to a maximum height of 50 feet, and their growth rate is slow as well. Their active growth rate is during spring and summer time. It is adaptable to coarse and fine textured soil.
The Western Red Cedar or Thuja Plicata is a perennial tree which remains green throughout the year. They have green leaves which are dense and scale like. This tree has an active growth period during summers and spring season. Their growth rate is slow, and they can grow up to a height of 150 feet. They have a long lifespan and are considered to be thousands of years old species. They are in existence since the Jurassic days. The Western Red Cedar has cones which are 1 - 1.8 cm long and 4 - 5 mm broad. These cones are brown and yellowish green and contain seeds in them. These trees have a single stem and are fine in texture. The soil requirement to grow them ranges between pH 5.1 - 7.1.
