Bring home the timeless beauty of a Cedar Bonsai Tree—perfect for adding charm and calm to your indoor or outdoor space.
Cedars are tall, evergreen trees that grow wide and graceful as they mature. They work well for bonsai, but for some unknown reason, cedar bonsai are not very common.
There are four beautiful types of cedar trees. Cedrus atlantica comes from North Africa and has blue-grey needles with light grey bark. Cedrus deodara, native to the Himalayas, has longer green needles. Cedrus libani grows in Lebanon and along the Mediterranean coast, with dark green needles and greyish-brown bark. Cedrus brevifolia is found only in Cyprus and has short, bluish-green needles and a wide canopy with flat, spreading branches. Some people consider it a subspecies of Cedrus libani.
Cedar trees grow bunches of needles along their twigs. At first glance, they might look like larch trees (Larix), but unlike larches, cedars keep their needles all year round because they are evergreen. There are also many interesting cedar varieties with different needle colors or unusual growth shapes.
Propagating a Cedar Bonsai Tree
Plant the seeds in spring, but they need a period of cold before they will grow. Growing cedars from cuttings or air layering doesn’t work very well and often fails.
Requirements for Growing a Cedar Bonsai Tree
Location
Cedar trees need plenty of sunlight to grow well. In winter, keep them safe from freezing weather and cold winds. Young trees are more delicate and need extra care during this time.
Watering
During the growing season, water the cedar every day if needed, but let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. Don’t give it too much water, since cedars naturally grow in dry places, and too much moisture can cause the roots to rot. In winter, it’s especially important to keep the roots from staying too wet, as this can lead to frost damage.
Fertilizer
It’s a good idea to feed your bonsai tree once a month using bonsai fertilizer. The easiest kind to use is time-release granules, which you can add once each season. Use less fertilizer in the winter. Be careful not to use too much, as it can burn the leaves or make the branches grow too long and thin.
Pruning and Wiring
You can trim small twigs in early spring. During the growing season, keep pinching off new shoots as they appear. Don’t cut the needles. Bigger branches are best pruned in autumn. Since cedar trees heal slowly, it’s a good idea to turn cut areas into deadwood features like jins or small shari, so the cuts don’t look messy. Young twigs can be wired easily while they’re still soft, but be careful not to hurt the bark, as it’s very delicate. For older branches, it’s better to use guy wires to shape them.
Repotting
Repot young trees every two years, and older ones every three to four years. Do this in spring before new buds appear, or in autumn. Try not to disturb the roots too much, and only trim them a little.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids and fungi like Sirococcus and Pestalotia can harm cedar trees by causing shoot blight and making the tree lose its leaves. You can use a specific pesticide to control these pests. It’s also a good idea to improve the tree’s growing conditions to help it stay healthy. Be careful not to water cedars too much, as this can lead to root rot.
