Protect Your Cedar Trees This Winter

Cedar trees are popular additions to many landscaping designs. Homeowners and commercial properties benefit from cedar trees because their evergreen beauty graces the line of vision for more than one season. Moreover, cedars require little care but simple routine maintenance to thrive throughout the year. Learn more about cedar trees and who to call for tree trimming in Waterloo. 

Cedar Tree Basic Info

A cedar tree is a coniferous evergreen that was not originally native to North America or Canada; though it has been present for so long, it is now considered native. Evergreen cedars, depending on their taxonomy, were brought over from the Mediterranean and Himalayan regions. The weather that the evergreen is suited for includes snow and colder temperatures, but it will still require a little help to transition from season to season. 

Cedar trees can vary wildly in appearance and specifications, so learning about the exact cedar you have will increase its chances of survival. There are only four types of true cedars, but people often refer to evergreens with cedar-like qualities, all as cedars. Even though there are numerous trees referred to as cedars across the world, some of the most popular on Waterloo are: 

• Atlas cedar 
• Cyprian cedar 
• Eastern white cedar 
• Eastern red cedar 
• Pygmy cedar 
• Prostrata cedar 

Cedar Tree Care Plan

Much of cedar tree care, in general, is protective and preventative care. Protecting a cedar includes spreading a finger-deep layer of mulch throughout the year; be sure to refresh the mulch each spring after the rainy season ends. Mulch helps protect the tree’s roots if they are shallow or exposed. Other critical applications of just a tiny layer of mulch include:

• Moisture retention
• Frost reduction 
• Water supply 
• Insulation from the cold 
• Protection from animals 

Cedar Tree Watering Schedules 

Setting a timely and adequate watering schedule is a challenging job for the best of tree lovers. Try to focus on watering the hole and perimeter where the cedar was planted or where the root system is visible under mulch. Watering is a specialized task best set aside for expert arborists like Martin’s Tree Service.

The age of the cedar tree and the weather season also play vital parts in determining when to water the tree. Younger trees need frequent water but not so much that the area becomes a swamp. If the weather is cold, you want to ensure your tree has adequate moisture but not so much that it freezes solid. Summer weather can dehydrate a cedar so much that it will lose its needles if not adequately watered. Expert observation and professional scheduling are the best bet for watering. 

Cedar Trees in Winter 

Despite being suited for cold, snowy climates, cedar trees can still benefit from a little extra preventative care during the winter season. Snow and ice can weigh cedar branches down, causing them to become weak or even break. Homeowners can prevent this damage to trees by taking measures to protect them.

For smaller and younger trees, surround the tree with stakes and wrap them in burlap. For the larger trees, work with arborists to carefully and effectively wrap your cedar to prevent damage without causing it. Wrapping a cedar, or any tree, too tightly can cause long-term damage, but unwrapping the tree too early can cause frost and snow damage. 

Even with the best care and routine maintenance, sometimes trees still fall ill to fungus, diseases, other pests that can damage them, or worse. Rather than attempt to diagnose the problem yourself or trim branches in a tall tree, avoid injury and contact the experts in tree services. Contact Martin’s Tree Service if you suspect that your cedar tree needs assessment or professional trimming services in Waterloo.