Cedar is an evergreen tree that grows into a tall, pyramid shape with cascading branches. The tree has a pleasing shape and is best to develop in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 10, based on the varieties. Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) and Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) are great choices for the home landscape. Trimming the tree for shape early in life reduces the pruning maintenance as the tree matures and becomes too tall to securely trim.
Trimming Season
The ideal time for cutting cedar is late winter to early spring once the tree is dormant and not actively growing. Trimming during dormancy is less stressful to your tree so that it can recover and recover once the growing season starts.
Trimming at Planting
Replacing a cedar tree when it’s young promotes strong, vigorous growth and general tree health. A young cedar tree has little branches that are easier to remove and reach than those on older trees. Inspect the tree for branches that are crowded or have weak joints and remove branches that are rubbing each other or growing toward the interior of the crown. Trim out multiple pioneers to maintain the strongest one to get a desirable shape. Trimming and shaping the tree in planting enhances the look so that there is less pruning maintenance required as the tree ages.
Trimming Care
Remove dead or damaged branches annually to maintain the cedar healthy and appealing. Inspect the branches and remove any that appear diseased or diminished. Wash the pruning blades with isopropyl alcohol after removing any respiratory branches to disinfect the tool and prevent spreading the infection to other areas of the tree. Shaping done while the tree is young decreases the sum required on mature trees. Avoid removing more than 10 percent of the tree crown during one pruning season so that the tree has sufficient energy to recover and stay healthier.
Factors
Mature cedar trees reach a height around 70 feet tall and can be difficult to trim as they age. Contact a professional company to trim trees that are too tall to securely trim with a ladder. Never attempt to trim tall trees by placing a ladder on an unsafe surface or a tree with branches near power lines. Pruning a tall-growing cedar trees into a bush is possible with competitive trimming annually to eliminate all new growth. The pruning needed to maintain a smaller size may lead to less appealing form and look. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) is not a true cedar, but is a variety that can be pruned to a desirable bush shape for the home landscape.