How to Make Sure Your Cedars Do Not Take Over Your Yard

If you are concerned about your cedar hedging taking over your yard, there are two main considerations. One is what you think about before planting the cedars, and the other consideration is what to do to manage the cedars already in place. This is what we want to talk about today in our blog. 

What to Consider Before Planting Cedar Hedges

If you have not planted yet, then be aware that some varieties of hedging are naturally much bigger than others. While any hedge can be pruned, it is harder to keep very large varieties small and contained. So, if you like a hedge that is very tightly controlled, then Western Red Cedar might not be the first choice, as this is a large tree often used in hedging. 

How to Manage and Control Existing Cedar Hedges

If your hedge is already in place, then you have to resort to pruning to tame your hedge and keep it the size you want. For a very overgrown hedge, cut it back gently and carefully over two or three years rather than all at one time. As a general rule, do not prune away more than a third of a shrub at a time for best results. 

Maintaining a Tamed Cedar Hedge Over Time

It is always easier to tame a hedge as it grows rather than when it is fully mature and vastly overgrown. Try to imagine your young hedge as much larger and older and prune gently to achieve this effect over time.

Seeking Expert Advice for Cedar Hedge Success

We are always available to answer your questions about hedging shrubs and help you to choose the best one for your application.     

For cedar hedging, give us a call on the Lower Mainland at (778) 241-5664. This is our business and area of expertise. 

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.