Incense Cedar Care
Calocedrus decurrens
An evergreen tree with a narrow, columnar form and aromatic leaves. It is quite drought tolerant but needs regular irrigation when young; in the landscape it is used alone as an accent tree or to form a tight hedge.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Winter rainfall is sufficient for mature trees. Water young trees (first 3-4 years) deeply once a month during dry periods (30-40 L/tree).
- Pruning: Not needed. Wait until the end of the month or early March for the main pruning.
- General care: Check the ties and supports of young trees.
- Pests & diseases: Check the trunk and branches for canker (sunken, oozing areas) or scale insects.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water young trees once a month.
- Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
- General care: Clear away pruning debris.
- Watering: If rainfall is insufficient, water young trees every 15-20 days (40 L/tree).
- Fertilizing: To support root development in young trees, apply a slow-release balanced NPK fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10) across the crown projection of the tree (do not overapply).
- Pruning: Pruning should be finished by the beginning of this month.
- General care: Before the summer heat, spread mulch (bark, etc.) around the tree to retain moisture (do not let it touch the trunk).
- Watering: Deep water young trees every 15 days.
- General care: New shoots become distinct.
- Watering: Deep water young trees every 10-15 days (50 L per tree) and mature trees once a month during very dry periods (80-100 L per tree).
- Plant protection: Check the leaves of trees under stress for spider mites.
- General care: Regular watering is important for young trees to develop their root systems.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of water stress (drying of leaf tips).
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Fertilizing: None; do not fertilize in the heat.
- Pruning: Not required; only remove broken or hazardous branches.
- Plant protection: Check for spider mites.
- General care: Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper and increases drought tolerance.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for spider mites (dusty appearance and discoloration on the leaves) and canker diseases.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
- General care: The plant tolerates extreme temperatures, but watering maintains its health.
- Pests & diseases: Check the trunk for resin flow or abnormal swellings in the bark.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: A perfect time to plant new water cedar seedlings. Warm soil and approaching rains encourage rooting.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Make sure newly planted seedlings are well watered before winter.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: Clean up fallen leaves and debris.
- Watering: Not needed. If a period without rain occurs, water young trees once a month.
- General care: The tree is in dormancy.
- Watering: If rainfall is very insufficient, give a small amount when the soil dries out.
- Pruning: Remove dead/damaged branches; do not prune heavily.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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