Will Cedar Trees Grow Their Limbs Back After Cutting?

Pruning Requirements

• Cedars naturally have a uniform shape that requires little pruning to keep in form. If size needs to be controlled, this is done by cutting the branches back to the latent buds or the laterals. This often causes new shoots to start growing from the cut site. Pinch these new shoots to add more fullness to the tree. These immature new needles are called the candle stage.

Things to Avoid

• Conifers, like cedars, have branches growing at even spacing around the main trunk, hence the minimal need for pruning. When pinching back the new growth or the immature needles, do not make the cut too deep into the hard, older wood of the tree. Cedar tree limbs that are cut off at the harder wood will not grow back again. This destroys the natural form of the tree. Other conifers such as juniper and spruce also do not grow limbs if cut off at the harder wood.

Pruning Time

• The recommended time to prune cedars that have a random branched growth habit is during the summer. Avoid pruning cedar during late summer or fall. Late season pruning produces a fresh flush of succulent growth that is highly prone to winter damage, as it has not had enough off before the cold weather.

Topping

• Topping evergreen is a practice where the entire top of the tree is leveled off with the aim to reduce size. This is not recommended at all, as it leaves behind unsightly stubs and permanently damages the natural shape of the tree. Conifers respond poorly to topping, making trees susceptible to decay, disease and pest infestations. Topped trees become weaker over time and become a hazard to property.