Garden Care Guide

Atlas Cedar Care

Cedrus atlantica

A stately, evergreen tree suitable for large areas. It loves full sun and well-drained soils; once established it is quite drought tolerant.

Hardy · -20 °C / -4 °F

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.

January
  • Watering: Winter rainfall is sufficient for mature trees. Water young trees (first 3-4 years) deeply once a month during dry periods (40-50 L/tree).
  • Pruning: Not needed. The best time for pruning is the end of the month.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Check the supports of young trees.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.
February
  • 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. At a young age, side branches are removed to form a single leader. On mature trees, only dead and broken branches are removed. On conifers, structural pruning is kept to a minimum; avoid making large cuts close to the main trunk.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Clear away pruning debris.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Usually not needed. In very poor soils, young trees may be given a slow-release balanced fertilizer (do not overapply).
  • Plant protection: Check the branches for colonies of giant cedar aphid (Cinara cedri).
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for black sooty mold (fumagine) developing on the honeydew produced by giant aphids.
April
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for aphids.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
May
  • Watering: Deep water young trees every 10-15 days (60 L per tree) and mature trees once a month during very dry periods (100+ L per tree).
  • General care: Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm, and keep the root collar above the surrounding soil level.
June
  • 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 the leaves of trees under stress for spider mites.
  • General care: Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper and increases drought tolerance.
  • Pests & diseases: Severe water stress can cause needle drop. Make sure drainage is good to guard against root rot risk.
July
  • 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 tree's form and color (especially blue varieties) are very prominent this month.
August
  • 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: Watering is still important in this period when root growth continues.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • General care: Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general health condition.
October
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
November
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Make sure water does not pool in the root zone during winter rains; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.
December
  • Watering: Not needed. If a period without rain occurs, water young trees once a month.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.

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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