Where You Should or Should Not Plant Cedar Trees

If you are considering planting some Thuja trees, which are commonly called cedars, then this blog article is for you. Please note that Thujas are not true cedars which are in the genus, Cedrus. There are conditions which are more or less appropriate for growing Thuja trees and that is what we are going to talk about today. Here are our recommendations. 

Sun and Shade 

Thujas will want a sunny location. A little shade during the day is okay but the more sun the better. Thujas planted in the shade are not going to grow well. 

Drainage 

These are trees that do not like standing water, so a marshy area is a hard no. They really need areas with good drainage. One of the reasons for this is because they have relatively shallow roots and will not stay firmly anchored in a marshy area. 

House 

Do not plant Thujas or other trees too close to the house. If they are too close, they will be a vector for bugs or critters to get inside the house or on the roof and are also a fire hazard. Also, root systems of trees too close to a building or other structures can damage a foundation or patio. 

Spacing 

You will not want them too close together. If you want these trees to grow as well as possible, they need some room for branches and roots. While close planting will create privacy, it is damaging to the trees and can shorten their lives. Err on the side of giving them more room. 

Also, never plant under a power line. Think ahead to what size the tree will be in 15 years.

For cedar hedging with Thuja, 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.