Pitfalls to Avoid When Planting Cedar Hedging

Pitfalls to Avoid When Planting Cedar Hedging

Have you bought a newly built home and feel that the yard could use more privacy? Adding a cedar hedge can make all the difference.

 

Have you previously planted a cedar hedge that did not live through the year? You may not have had the necessary knowledge to keep the trees happy and healthy. Here is some advice and information to make your second attempt a success.

The Most Popular Varieties

Did you know that there are many cedar tree varieties? While they all look alike, they each have their own unique little characteristics. For example, semi-cultivated cedars are more affordable because they aren’t as vibrantly green and have a far less imposing foliage. They also tend to yellow more than their counterparts. In contrast, there is the Smaragd cedar, considered to be the star of its category; however, it is quite narrow and requires full sun conditions. There are many other options between these two extremes, such as the fastigiata cedar, dense and dark green, or the black cedar, which offers great value for money, but must be pruned frequently to keep it healthy.  

Choosing the Location

If you want to plant a hedge between your lot and your neighbours’ lot to increase privacy and clearly separate your yards, you must discuss your project with them beforehand. Unless, of course, you position it fully on your property and not directly on the boundary line. In fact, if your relationship with your neighbours is not perfectly cordial, you could install your hedge 25 cm inside the line.

Then, the best place to plant a hedge is in full sun so that it can grow as thickly as possible. Moreover, be aware that there are some varieties of cedar that are hardier than others. If your yard is on the shadier side, choose a type of cedar tree that tolerates these conditions. Hedges don’t usually need to be watered unless there is a heatwave and it hasn’t rained in several days.

Planting the Cedar Hedging

The first step is to make sure that the area has well-drained soil. Next, remove a 60 cm long strip of lawn. Dig a 45 cm deep trench in the 60 cm long section you have uncovered. Add a high-quality garden soil mix that is at least one-third compost to the trench. Plant your cedar trees and cover the roots with soil. Don’t leave any peaking through! Water thoroughly and mulch thickly. Continue to water your cedars throughout the first year. It is recommended that you lay a perforated hose along the hedging and turn on the tap for an hour each week. 

Long-Term Maintenance

Despite your initial care and attention in the first months, your cedar trees may deteriorate if you don’t prune and maintain them regularly in the years to come. It is often too late once the hedging has spread and thinned out! Therefore, in addition to keeping the trees well watered, it is important that you feed them consistently with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. The idea is to apply the fertilizer three times a year: mid-April, mid-May and mid-June. Avoid doing so after June as the trees will continue to grow in the colder months, which will cause permanent damage. For a dense, tall hedge for decades to come, prune it back by 5 cm every summer; however, only trim the sides during the early years to allow it to grow to the desired height.

To summarize, the potential pitfalls to avoid are not watering in the first year, not choosing the right variety for your light conditions and an inadequate pruning regime. If you avoid these mistakes, your cedar hedge will have every chance of not only surviving, but thriving beautifully!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.