How to Care for Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Trees

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula', commonly known as weeping blue atlas cedar, is a slow-growing conifer tree whose blue-needle-covered weeping branches makes it a stunning addition to any home landscape. Weeping blue atlas cedar trees can reach heights of 20 feet with a 10 foot spread, though they can be pruned to maintain a smaller size, if necessary. Intolerant of both extremely cold and hot climates, weeping blue atlas cedar trees grow best in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 8. In its ideal growing zones, the weeping blue atlas cedar requires very little special care to thrive.

Weeping blue atlas cedar tree

Shovel

Perlite or coarse builder's sand (if necessary)

Tiller

Wood, plastic or metal tree stakes

Strips of nylon pantyhose

Drip, soaker or bubbler hose

Specially-formulated evergreen fertilizer

Pruning shears or saw

Plant your weeping blue atlas cedar tree in a planting location that meets the tree's growing requirements. The planting location should receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day and offer slightly acidic, well-draining soil. Till perlite or coarse builder's sand into the top 12 inches of soil to improve the drainage, if necessary.

Stake your weeping blue atlas cedar tree after planting to give it the support it needs to grow into an attractive landscape tree. Drive a stake into the ground next to your tree; take care to avoid damaging your tree's root ball. Use strips of nylon pantyhose to loosely tie the trunk of your weeping blue atlas cedar to the metal or wooden stake. Continue to tie the tree trunk to the stake as it grows, spacing the ties six inches apart. Once the tree has reached the desired height it is no longer necessary to continue staking it.

Water your weeping blue atlas cedar tree as often as is necessary to keep its soil moist during the first year of growth. Hydrate the tree using a drip, soaker or bubbler hose to make sure the water is reaching your tree's roots. Decrease the frequency of watering once your weeping blue atlas cedar tree is established but provide it with at least 1 inch of water each week during hot, dry weather to keep its foliage looking its best.

Fertilize your weeping blue atlas cedar tree annually in the spring. Apply an application of a specially-formulated evergreen fertilizer according to the package instructions. Gradually water in your fertilizer application when using granular fertilizers to avoid over-fertilizing your tree.

Prune your weeping blue atlas cedar tree each winter to maintain the size and shape you desire. Use sharpened and sterilized pruning tools when shaping your tree to lessen the pruning stress your tree experiences. Remove discolored, damaged or dead branches or foliage as needed throughout the year to maintain your tree's overall health and appearance.

Specially-formulated evergreen fertilizer spikes can also be used to feed your weeping blue cedar atlas tree. Fertilizer spikes are inexpensive, easy to use and utilize a slow-release formula to feed your tree over a period of several months.

Make sure not to tie the pantyhose strips too tight or they may strangle the tree as it grows.