Trees We Care For: Cedars

Cedars are some of the most celebrated trees in the world, and they appear in natural areas, residential landscapes, and parks across the globe — including right here on the Central Coast. Several make good landscaping choices for properties in our area, and there are even a few native species that grow naturally throughout the region. 

But whether you already have cedars growing in your yard or you’re considering planting some new ones, it’s important to provide the care they require. We’ll try to help you do exactly that below, by sharing some of the basic facts about these beautiful trees. 

Common Cedar Trees on the Central Coast

Before diving into the care requirements of cedars, we have to address a common source of confusion: The term “cedar” is included in the common name of many trees, despite them being members of other taxonomic groups and therefore not “true” cedars at all. 

Technically speaking, true cedars are members of the genus Cedrus. All other trees with the word “cedar” in their name are “false” cedars.   

Here are 10 of the most common cedars on Central Coast properties, including both native and non-native species:

1. Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens): Native to California, the incense cedar is well adapted to Mediterranean climates but prefers inland sites with good drainage. It can reach 100 feet at maturity and develops a narrow, columnar form, making it more suitable for larger properties or naturalized settings than tight urban spaces.
2. Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata): Despite its name, this is not a true cedar. Native to the Pacific Northwest, the western redcedar thrives in cool, moist, and fog-influenced environments. It can reach 150 feet in height or more and thrives best in consistently moist soil, making it less suitable for dry coastal sites without irrigation.
3. Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana): This species (which isn’t a true cedar) is native to southwestern Oregon and far northern California, but it’s often planted on the Central Coast. It reaches 100 feet in height, favors cool, humid coastal climates, and requires excellent drainage to avoid root disease. 
4. Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara): A true cedar native to the western Himalayas, deodar cedars are well adapted to Mediterranean climates and widely planted in California landscapes. Growing up to 80 feet tall with a broad, graceful form, they require ample space and good drainage to perform well.
5. Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica): Native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, this true cedar is highly drought-tolerant once established and well-suited to California’s dry summers. Reaching up to 60 feet in height, it prefers full sun, well-drained soils, and requires only minimal irrigation.
6. Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani): Another true cedar that’s native to the eastern Mediterranean, this tree grows slowly but eventually reaches up to 80 feet in height, with a broad, spreading canopy. This species requires significant horizontal space and well-drained soil, making it unsuitable for confined properties.
7. Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica): Another “false” cedar, this species is native to Japan and prefers humid, mild climates with consistent moisture. It can reach 100 feet in height and thrives best in sheltered coastal areas with some fog influence; it may struggle in dry, windy, or exposed coastal conditions.
8. Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.): Generally considered invasive in many parts of the western U.S., saltcedars are highly tolerant of saline soils, drought, and poor conditions. These shrub-like trees rarely exceed 30 feet in height and are rarely recommended for planting due to the ecological impacts they create.  
9. California Juniper (Juniperus californica): A California native that’s sometimes called a redcedar, these trees are more common in inland desert and foothill regions rather than the immediate coast. These trees are typically small and rarely exceed 25 feet in height, but they are extremely drought-tolerant.
10. Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana): Not a true cedar but a juniper native to eastern North America, this species can thrive in our region despite not being native to California. Capable of reaching 50 feet in height, it tolerates a wide range of soil but may struggle with coastal salt exposure.

How to Care for Cedar Trees

Different cedar tree species have different care requirements, but we’ll share some of the key things you’ll need to do to help your trees thrive. 

Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

It doesn’t matter if you’re installing a pine, oak, redwood, or cedar — all trees require a suitable growing location to thrive. In the case of cedars, this means looking for a place with full sun exposure, well-drained soil, and enough space to accommodate the tree’s mature height and spread.  

Provide Supplemental Water When Appropriate

While freshly planted or transplanted cedars should be provided with supplemental water for several months following their installation, most cedar species are relatively drought-tolerant once established. However, they may require additional water during droughts or periods of extremely high temperatures. 

Apply a Layer of Mulch Over the Roots

A 2- to 4-inch-thick layer of organic mulch spread across a tree’s root system will help support the tree in several ways. It’ll protect the roots from mower damage, retain more soil moisture, and release organic material into the soil. Just be sure that you don’t pile mulch against the trunk, as this can trap moisture and encourage decay to develop. 

Fertilize Your Trees Appropriately

Fertilizer can help correct nutritional deficiencies in the soil and promote proper growth. However, it shouldn’t be applied haphazardly, as this can harm your trees or simply result in wasted money. Instead, conduct a soil test every two to three years and then choose a fertilizer that addresses the specific deficiencies present. 

Monitor Your Trees Regularly

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to support your trees’ health is regular monitoring, which gives you the chance to spot problems early, while there may still be time to correct the issue. So, be sure to carefully inspect all portions of your tree with each passing season and following every severe storm, while using binoculars to see the top of the tree safely. 

Trimming & Pruning Cedar Trees

Fortunately, cedar trees — including both “true” and “false” varieties — don’t require as much pruning as some other trees. However, pruning is often advisable in the following situations:

• During the First Few Years of the Tree’s Life: Most trees should be pruned while they’re young in a manner that helps encourage good form and prevent long-term problems — something arborists call “structural pruning.” 
• Anytime You Notice Problematic Branches: Dead or hazardous branches should always be removed by a certified arborist to keep your trees safe and prevent injuries or property damage. 
• Once Every Three to Five Years: Periodic “crown cleanings” are helpful for removing dead, diseased, or decayed branches, and they give your arborist the chance to inspect the canopy closely for other problems. 
• As Required to Prevent Conflicts: In some cases (particularly those involving trees that were not planted in a suitable location), trees must be trimmed to prevent site conflicts or access problems. 

Cedar Tree Pests, Pathogens, & Problems

Part of the reason that cedars are so popular is their hardy nature. As a group, they face relatively few problems with regard to insects and diseases. 

However, they can suffer from a few key issues, which you’ll want to watch for: 

Pocket Dry Rot

Primarily a concern for incense cedars and sometimes called “pecky rot,” pocket dry rot is caused by the fungus Postia amara. A type of brown rot that creates pockets of internal decay, this ailment rarely kills the tree itself. However, it can weaken the tree, leading to stem failure during severe wind events. 

Incense Cedar Rust

Caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium blasdaleanum, this disease infects incense cedar trees but requires another species — usually a member of the Rose Family — to complete its lifecycle. This disease can cause leaf discoloration, wood swellings, twig dieback, and orange “witches’ brooms” to form, but it rarely kills incense cedars outright. 

Root Rot

Several cedar tree species are susceptible to fungal root rots, though the specific fungal species involved differ from case to case. Generally speaking, root rots are the result of overwatering or poor drainage, though stress increases an individual tree’s susceptibility. Canopy dieback, wilting foliage, and general decline are some of the common symptoms. 

Bark Beetles

A variety of bark beetles can attack cedar trees, but trees are generally able to withstand minor infestations without suffering significant damage. However, problems can arise when stressed trees suffer a heavy outbreak, as they’re unable to mount an effective defense. This can result in the death of the tree in some cases. 

Needle Blights

There are a few different needle blight diseases that can affect cedar trees. Most needle blight diseases cause foliar discoloration and needle drop, but trees will generally recover over time. Needle blights are typically most common during cool, wet springs, and among trees that are planted in tight, dense rows. 

Heat & Water Stress

Far and away, the most common problems for cedar trees in Central Coast California are excessive temperatures and insufficient soil moisture, which cause significant stress and often make trees more vulnerable to secondary pests and pathogens, such as bark beetles. 

Signs Your Cedar Trees Need Help

Early intervention is the best way to keep your cedar trees safe and help them recover from pest or disease problems. So, be sure to watch for any of the following signs or symptoms:

• A Sudden or Increasing Lean: Not all leaning trees are hazardous, but those that begin leaning suddenly (or leaning more than usual) are often at imminent risk of collapse. Always stay clear of these kinds of trees and schedule a risk assessment from a certified arborist immediately. 
• Hollows or Cavities: Often caused when small wounds expose a tree’s internal wood to decay fungus, tree hollows can weaken a tree and compromise its structural integrity. Hollows don’t always necessitate removal, but they are definitely a condition of concern that warrants further investigation.  
• Foliar Discoloration: A variety of pests, pathogens, and environmental stresses can cause cedar trees to develop yellow, orange, or brown needles. Sometimes, trees can recover from these kinds of issues on their own (provided that they’re in otherwise healthy condition), but it’s always wise to have them assessed.  
• Twig or Branch Dieback: Twig or branch dieback often manifests as brown “flags” in the otherwise-green canopy. In a best-case scenario, this kind of dieback can be due to a localized problem only affecting a single branch. But in a worst-case scenario, it may indicate systemic issues affecting the vascular system or roots. 
• Wilting Foliage: Wilting foliage is sometimes a result of pests or pathogens, but it can also be caused by insufficient water, improper planting, or a variety of other environmental causes. But no matter the cause, wilting is always a significant issue that requires prompt attention to have any chance of saving the tree. 
• Fungal Fruiting Bodies: Mushrooms, conks, and brackets are the fruiting bodies of various fungal species, and their presence is often a strong sign of internal decay in the branches, trunk, or root system. However, different fungal species present different threat levels, so it is critical to have them inspected by an ISA-certified arborist. 
• Tight, V-Shaped Branch Unions: V-shaped branch junctions often develop bark within the woody tissue (something arborists call “included bark”). This prevents the union from being as strong as it would otherwise be, putting the limb or branch at an increased risk of failure. 

If you notice any of these signs, contact Adney Tree Service at once, so we can conduct an assessment and recommend the best course of action. 

Adney Tree Service: Delivering the Cedar Tree Care You Need

Whether you’d like a new Atlas cedar planted in your residential landscape or you need help caring for a pair of gigantic incense cedars on your commercial property, it’s important to partner with the right arboricultural team. 

Led by an ISA-certified arborist and backed by a proven track record stretching back for more than a decade, the Adney Tree Service team is ready to provide the planting, cabling, pruning, or removal services you need. Contact us today to request your free estimate and start getting the kind of professional tree-care service you deserve. 

Sources and References

• Forest Pathology – “Incense Cedar Rust”
  Describes the life cycle, hosts, symptoms, and ecological impact of Gymnosporangium rust affecting incense cedar and related species.
  https://forestpathology.org/rusts/incense-cedar-rust/
• Stanford University – “Cedrus atlantica (Atlas Cedar)”
  Provides botanical characteristics and identification details for true cedars, including needle structure, cones, and distinguishing traits among Cedrus species.
  https://trees.stanford.edu/ENCYC/CEDat.htm
• California Invasive Plant Council – “Tamarix ramosissima Profile”
  Explains the invasive nature of saltcedar, including its impacts on hydrology, soil chemistry, and native ecosystems in California.
  https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profile/tamarix-ramosissima-profile/
• Sacramento Tree Foundation – “Deodar Cedar”
  Summarizes growth habit, mature size, and site adaptability of deodar cedar, including its suitability for dry climates and urban landscapes.
  https://sactree.org/trees/deodar-cedar/