What Is Needed to Grow a Cedar Tree?

Cedrus

• Cedars in the Cedrus genus include the cedar of Lebanon (C. libani), which thrives in moist to dry sites with excellent drainage. This spreading tree requires full sun exposures and needs a site free from air pollution. It's hardy in USDA zones 5 through 7. The Atlas (C. atlantica) grows best in sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, though it tolerates clay and sand. It's hardy in zones 6 to 9 and needs wind protection. The blue Atlas (C. atlantica “Glauca”) has the same sun and temperature requirements, but needs better drainage, as it cannot survive in wet sites. The deodar (C. deodara) prefers well-drained or dry sites in sun to partial shade. It requires wind protection and is hardy in zones 7 through 8. The cyprus (C. brevifolia) is hardy to Zone 5 and tolerates a range of conditions, including alkaline or acidic soil, moist to dry sites and sun to partial shade exposures.

Juniperus

• The Juniperus genus contains two cedars, the Eastern red (J. virginiana) and the Southern red (J. silicicola). The Eastern red, a cold-hardy tree, thrives in USDA zones 2 through 9. It requires full sun exposures and grows best in well-drained soil. In contrast, the Southern red requires warm temperatures -- it's hardy in zones 8 through 10 -- and grows best in sunny sites. Southern red cedars need well-drained soil, but tolerate acidic to alkaline pH levels, clay, sand and loamy soils.

Chamaecyparis

• Cedars in the Chamaecyparis genus include the Atlantic white (C. thyoides) and the Port Orford (C. lawsoniana). The native Atlantic white requires full sun exposures, a neutral pH level and grows well in a variety of soils, including damp sites. It's hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. The Port Orford must be planted in zones 6 through 10 and grows best in highly acidic to neutral soils. It thrives in sun or partial shade and moist, dry, sandy or loamy soil.

Other Cedars

• The Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) requires a more specific set of conditions than many other cedars, including an acidic pH level and afternoon shade, especially when grown in the southern end of its range, which includes USDA zones 5 through 9. It requires protection from winter winds and grows best in well-draining sites with moist, fertile, deep soil. The California incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), a slow-growing tree that tolerates heat and drought, grows best in moist, well-drained soil with an acidic to neutral pH. California incense cedars must be planted in USDA zones 5 through 8 to thrive. They prefer sunny to lightly shaded exposures.