How to Grow Blue Atlas Cedar Trees in Georgia
Native to Morocco and Algeria, the blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) produces bluish-green foliage that gives a stately appearance as it drapes along the soil line. This handsome evergreen grows 60 feet tall with a 40-foot spread at maturity. Blue atlas cedars thrive when planted in full sun to partial shade within the well-drained soils of USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8. If you live in Georgia, which falls precisely within the blue atlas cedar tree's preferred range, adding several to your landscape should not pose any challenges. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Soil testing kit
- Pitchfork
- Lime or peat moss
- Soaker hose
- Mulch
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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Test the soil before planting. Blue atlas cedar trees prefer to grow in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. The acidity of Georgia soils varies, so you will need to purchase a soil testing kit from a garden center or nursery to determine the pH.
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Amend your Georgia soil with lime if the test reveals a pH below 6.5 or peat moss for a pH above 7.0. Loosen the soil first, using a pitchfork and add the required amendment afterward, following label instructions.
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Dig a hole that matches the height of the root balls of the trees. The hole should measure twice the width of the root balls. Space the holes approximately 25 feet from one another to allow the blue atlas cedar trees plenty of room to spread.
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Remove the blue atlas cedar trees from their nursery containers. Set one tree in each hole making sure that the root flare (transition point where roots meet trunk) of each tree rests above the soil line. Backfill the holes and pat the soil around each tree to remove air pockets.
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Water-in the trees immediately after planting, using a soaker hose. Supply the blue atlas cedar trees with at least 1 inch of water every week, maintaining moist soil to a 1-inch depth, for the first two growing seasons.
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Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch to improve water retention in the soil and reduce weed growth. Straw or bark chips work well for mulching.
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Feed the blue atlas cedar trees an all-purpose fertilizer. Follow the label instructions for allocation amounts and frequency. Most blue atlas cedars appreciate a dose of fertilizer in the early spring before new growth develops.
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Tips & Warnings
The state of Georgia receives a yearly rainfall total of approximately 49 inches, which is plenty of rain to sustain blue atlas cedar trees. Therefore, supplemental watering will only be required during droughts once the trees are established.
Do not overwater the blue atlas cedar trees. Standing water can cause the roots to rot, killing the trees. Do not add additional water to the soil if it feels moist at a 1-inch depth.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit winter pine image by Dragomir Rafajlovic from Fotolia.com
