Heavy Rains and New Cedars: Is It a Problem?

Southern British Columbia has had more rain than usual lately. If you are worried about the new cedars that you just planted, fear not. Newly planted cedars need a lot of water, and not giving them enough water is typically a bigger problem than giving them too much.

Understanding Rain and Tree Roots

When it rains, not all that water is going to your trees roots. Some of it runs off, some of it evaporates, and lots of it waters the ground around the tree. If we assume that you planted your trees in good quality soil, that soil should have good drainage, and any extra water will drain away into the water table.

Dealing with Flooding

Obviously, if you are living in one of those tough areas where there has been significant flooding, that’s a different story, and you will have to wait and see what happens. If trees are uprooted, they will need to be replanted.

Rain and Cedar Growth

For the rest of us, if you are just seeing a lot of rain, don’t worry about your new trees. The cedars like having damp roots, and they continue growing in the winter. Until the ground freezes, be more preoccupied with the new cedars having enough water rather than too much.

If you have bought cedar tree from us, don’t hesitate to call us at (778) 241-5664, and we would be happy to answer any questions and reassure you. This is the time of year that our ground replenishes and readies for the dry season next summer. Steady rain right now is a good thing for your cedars.

Pacific West Cedars, based in Langley, British Columbia, farms, supplies, and installs cedar hedging on the Lower Mainland. They offer two kinds of cedars plus boxwoods: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), and Emerald Cedars (Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd”). They work with landscapers, contractors, and also directly with the public.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about cedars, we encourage you to call us at (778) 241-5664.