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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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You should be more specific. Here at my home and all over the area we are constantly pulling up volunteer Western Redcedar trees, Thuja plicata. It's not a true cedar either, but has the aroma and natural resistance that make it popular for posts, decking, shingles and siding. Red Cedar is the even more aromatic true cedar used for chests and closets, and the names start with Cedrus. If those are what you want then do you want Atlantic, Cyprus, deodar, or Lebanon?
OP, you may need to read up a bit about true cedars, nearly all of them require an environment where they will get some moderate to cold temperatures and plenty of water and humidity for both the roots and on their foliage.
What kinds of true cedars do you know of that will grow well in a hot, dry location like Phoenix, Arizona?
If you are looking for the "salt cedar", they do well in desert climates. It's not a true cedar (Cedrus), however. It's in the Tamarix genus.
I grow three species of Cedrus at my place... the deodar cedar, the blue Atlas cedar, and the cedar of Lebanon. Not sure they will do well or even survive in Phoenix. Deodar is by far the fastest grower. Evergreen Nursery, based in Tennessee, sells potted deodar cedar at a reasonable price. They ship very quickly. I live in southern Maryland and they do well here. They are a graceful tree. Cedar of Lebanon may do better in deserts (?), but not sure about this. They are much more difficult to find in the trade. I got mine from a grower in California.
FWIW, the "Sunset Western Garden Book" does not recommend any of the cedrus species (deodora, atlantica, brevifolia, or libani) for the low desert---likely because of concerns about heat, drought, and alkaline soil. that said, while this book is regarded by some as the "Bible of Western Horticulture", it's not always infallible (and sometimes I've found it dead wrong) but it's opinions are often worth at least considering. OTOH, many of the "salt cedars" (tamarix) which are NOT related to the true cedars (being flowering plants rather than conifers) are in fact regarded as noxious weeds in many parts of the S.W. because they in fact do way too well there especially around stream banks and arroyos where they can almost completely displace native vegetation in worst case scenarios. FWIW a tree that sort of has a similar look and size are the casuarinas (aka "Australian pines" but they are not true conifers either despite their similar look ) which are tolerant of low desert conditions and MIGHT work for you.
Last edited by georgeinbandonoregon; 11-10-2018 at 09:10 PM..
Italian Cypress have done well at Oracle State Park, north of Tucson....at a lower elevation. I know it's not a cedar, but they will grow where you are.
Cedrus deodora and Cedrus atlantica are both growing at the University of Arizona arboretum in Tucson. I'm certain it's not their ideal environment, but they seem to be surviving and growing. https://apps.cals.arizona.edu/arbore...xon.aspx?id=61
Yes, I'm aware a Cedrus would not normally grow here in Phoenix, but after seeing how beautiful they are in CA, I can't help but want to try them. I think atlantica tolerates heat the best of the species.
Yes, I'm aware a Cedrus would not normally grow here in Phoenix, but after seeing how beautiful they are in CA, I can't help but want to try them. I think atlantica tolerates heat the best of the species.
hey doug. i know this a couple of years later but i have some insight on the species mentioned here. i am growing an atlas cedar in tucson zone 8b/9a in full sun with low-moderate water. its a couple of years old purchased at lowes, of all places, as a ball and burlap tree out of oregon. it hasnt grown very fast but it faithfully puts on a couple inches of growth in spring and fall. its about 7ft tall. i am acquiring a deodar this year after seeing several nice specimens around town while doing delivery food service. all of them were in afternoon shade at the base and planted in lawns so that must have helped them succeed until they were tall enough to reach full sun and shade their haunches. if you havent given up finding one and are still looking, i would suggest a trip up to prescott or flagstaff and checking out watters or warners, respectively. they both have carried them in the past. hope this helps.
p.s. i am conducting an experiment with several conifer species after seeing moderate success with the atlas cedar and hoping to introduce cultivation ideas to the tucson discussion (and maybe phoenix). i have a 'baby blue' colorado spruce and an alberta spruce growing. will keep posted
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