An evergreen conifer native to the eastern half of North America, the eastern red cedar is a bushy tree that provides ecological benefits year-round. It’s a cold-hardy tree that is adaptable to a variety of soil types, loves full sun, and can tolerate salt and pollution, making it an outstanding urban tree and a particularly powerful contribution to any type of landscape.
Cedars are majestic evergreen trees that can grow to towering heights over decades or even centuries. But how fast do cedars actually grow on a yearly basis? In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the average growth rate of different cedar species the factors that affect growth, and tips for optimizing growth in your landscape.
Overview of Cedar Growth Rates
Cedars are moderately fast-growing trees with most varieties growing 1-2 feet per year once established. However, growth rates can vary significantly depending on the species growing conditions, and age of the tree. Here’s a quick overview
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Deodar cedar – Grows 1-2 feet per year, reaching 50-70 feet tall at maturity over 20-30 years.
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Atlas cedar – Slower growing at 6 inches to 1 foot per year, maturing at 40-60 feet.
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Lebanon cedar – Gains 6 inches to 1 foot annually, topping out around 60-80 feet.
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Western red cedar – Quicker growth of 1-2 feet per year, hitting mature heights of 60-125 feet.
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Eastern red cedar – The fastest growing cedar at 1.5-3 feet yearly, maturing at 40-50 feet tall.
So in general, you can expect established cedar trees to grow an average of 1-2 feet taller each year. Fast growers like the Eastern red cedar can gain up to 3 feet per year in ideal conditions. Now let’s look at the key factors that affect growth rates.
What Impacts Cedar Growth Rates?
Several elements influence the speed at which cedars grow:
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Age – Cedars grow fastest when young, slowing down as they mature. Expect quicker growth in the first 10 years.
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Species – The variety of cedar makes a big difference, as we’ve seen. Red cedars grow faster than Atlas or Lebanon.
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Soil – Cedars thrive in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Poor soils severely inhibit growth.
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Sunlight – Cedars grow fastest in full sun. Too much shade will significantly slow growth.
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Water – Consistent moisture is key, especially for young trees. Drought stress reduces growth.
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Pruning – Regular, proper pruning encourages new leader growth and a balanced form.
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Climate – Cedars grow well in cool climates and higher elevations. Hot summers can slow growth.
By optimizing these factors, you can maximize cedar growth potential on your property.
Tips for Faster Cedar Growth
If you want your cedar to reach mature size as quickly as possible, follow these tips:
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Choose a fast-growing variety like Eastern red cedar.
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Plant in loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost.
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Make sure the tree gets full sun for at least 6 hours daily.
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Water young trees weekly, providing about 1 inch of water.
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Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
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Prune lightly in early spring to encourage new growth.
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Allow plenty of space between cedars and other trees.
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Use mulch around the base to maintain soil moisture.
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Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer, which causes rapid, weak growth.
How Long Does it Take Cedars to Reach Full Size?
Most cedars take at least 20-30 years to hit their maximum mature heights, which vary by species.
Here are some averages:
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Eastern red cedar – 7-10 years to reach landscape impact, up to 30 years for full maturity at 40-50 feet.
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Western red cedar – 15-20 years to effective size, 30+ years to reach 60-125 feet.
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Atlas cedar – 20-30 years to hit 40-60 feet.
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Deodar cedar – 15-25 years to maturity in the 50-70 foot range.
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Lebanon cedar – 20-30 years to achieve 60-80 feet.
With ideal growing conditions, you can shave a few years off these timelines. But have patience – the cedar’s slow yet steady growth is part of its ancient, majestic appeal.
Caring for Cedars Through the Years
To keep your cedar thriving at every stage, follow these general care guidelines:
Years 1-5:
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Water thoroughly 1-2 times per week, providing about 1 inch total.
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Apply fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer.
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Check for pests like bagworms and mites.
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Prune only dead or damaged branches – avoid heavy pruning.
Years 5-10:
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Water weekly during droughts, aiming for 1 inch of water per week.
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Fertilize in early spring every other year.
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Monitor for diseases and treat any issues promptly.
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Prune lightly in early spring to shape as needed.
Years 10+:
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Water during extended dry periods. Cedars are drought tolerant when mature.
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Apply fertilizer every 2-3 years to maintain health.
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Check for signs of disease like canker and root rot.
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Prune as needed to remove dead branches or shape form.
Proper care from the time you plant your cedar will ensure it grows vigorously year after year, reaching for the skies at its own stately, majestic pace. With the right growing conditions and a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with a towering, elegant evergreen centerpiece for generations to come.
Key Takeaways on Cedar Growth Rates
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Most cedars grow 1-2 feet per year once established, with some varieties up to 3 feet annually.
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Growth rates depend on age, species, sunlight, soil, watering, and climate.
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Optimal conditions allow cedars to reach mature height in 20-30 years.
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Fast growers like Eastern red cedar can achieve landscape impact in 5-10 years.
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Consistent care from planting through maturity keeps cedars healthy and growing strong.
With this knowledge in hand, you can select the perfect cedar for your landscape, provide the conditions it needs to thrive, and enjoy watching it grow taller each year as it matures into a stunning focal point.
What to Know About the Eastern Red Cedar
The eastern red cedar is actually not a cedar at all but rather a juniper tree, as is reflected in its scientific name, Juniperus virginiana. There is also a hint of this in its common name; while colloquially spelled with a space between red and cedar, the technical spelling is redcedar, as a compound name, demonstrating that its not a true example of this type of tree (similar to the yellow-cedar, actually a cypress, and the white-cedar, a thuja in the same genus as the arborvitae). What makes these conifers similar to the true cedars of the genus Cedrus, which are native to the Mediterranean region, includes their evergreen nature, aromatic wood, and long-lived, hardy character.
Identifying an Eastern Red Cedar
One of the biggest differences between the eastern red cedar tree and the true cedars of the Mediterranean is their form. Eastern red cedars, like juniper trees, grow as big, bushy shrubs and don’t usually expose their trunk in the way that other trees do (unless they’re trimmed and trained). Their dense, evergreen foliage is made up of many small, scaly, flat leaflets that create a dense wall of green where they’re planted, resulting in red cedars being excellent trees for windbreaks in winter, shade in summer, and privacy screening throughout the year.
In addition to their landscape functions, red cedars perform an essential ecosystem service as a habitat and food source for animals throughout the year. They provide cover for birds and small mammals of all kinds to nest, rest, and escape harsh winds, rain, and snow. The trees produce little purple-blue berries as well as tiny, scaly, berry-like cones, both of which are important sources of food for animals during winter and early spring.
While red cedars provide many kinds of seasonal benefits, they also have certain characteristics that allow them to thrive and produce those benefits in urban and neighborhood environments. These trees are able to grow in a range of soil types, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (they thrive in limestone ground like we have here in Nashville), from clay to loam to sandy. They can tolerate some moisture, some dryness, and even some salt. That is to say, they will grow in almost any ground! This flexible adaptability makes them a great choice for a yard, park, or streetside.
These trees also love to be planted in full sun, so they can grow in open areas and in isolation without a problem. They are shade intolerant and lose foliage if planted too closely to a fence or another tree. Red cedar trees are particularly at risk for a fungal growth known as cedar apple rust disease, which grows as an orange to purple mold when juniper trees (such as the red cedar) are planted too close to apple trees. Although this fungus can usually be managed with fungicide when it appears, it’s best to keep these species at a distance from each other to avoid either minor or major damage to the trees.
Red cedars are also drought tolerant, efficient with energy productivity and moisture uptake. Their evergreen nature allows them to photosynthesize year-round, while their extensive, fibrous roots are good at absorbing and storing moisture (as well as stabilizing soil where they grow). The tree’s exfoliating bark is rather fibrous as well, displaying a reddish-gray color. The stringy, peeling bark and lacy foliage give this tree an elegant draping appearance that only adds visual interest to its robust, functional nature.
How Fast Does A Cedar Tree Grow? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
How do you make cedars grow faster?
Proper pruning and trimming techniques are essential to stimulate the growth of your cedar hedge. It is important to know when to prune, how much to prune and where to prune. Experts recommend pruning only 3 to 6 inches from the top each year, as this will stimulate growth.
What are the disadvantages of cedar trees?
Depending on where you live, you may have issues with skunks, deer, raccoons, rodents and elk nibbling at your cedar tree. While beautiful, deer can be especially problematic since they love to browse through the leaves.
Which cedar tree grows the fastest?
The short answer is …… Green giant cedars! Well, there is no one type of cedar that is best, but green giant cedars are very good. They are very fast growing, have a beautiful deep green colour, are hardy for the most part and tolerate tough growing conditions.
How fast can cedars grow?
On average, you can expect your cedar trees to grow upwards of a foot per year. If you want a tall privacy fence, you will have a large amount of shade from it.Mar 2, 2012