Do Cedars Grow in Winter?
Yes, cedars do grow in winter, but only very slowly. During the cold months, cedars enter a state of dormancy, so you won't see new shoots or bright green growth. However, root growth can continue if the ground temperature stays above 40°F, especially in milder climates. This winter dormancy is actually a key survival strategy that helps cedars conserve energy and protect themselves from frost damage.
What happens to cedar trees in winter?
Cedars are evergreen conifers, which means they keep their needles all year round. But winter changes how they function. As daylight gets shorter and temperatures drop, cedars slow down their internal processes. They stop making new leaves and branches because the cold makes it hard for water to move from the roots to the tips.
You might notice that cedar needles turn a slightly bronze or purplish color in winter. That is completely normal. It's the tree's way of protecting its cells from freezing. Think of it like a natural antifreeze. The green color comes back in spring when the weather warms up.
Winter growth is mostly underground. While the top of the tree rests, the roots keep working as long as the soil is not frozen solid. That is why you can still water a cedar in winter if the ground is dry and above freezing. The roots will drink the water and slowly expand. They are searching for nutrients and moisture to support the tree when spring arrives.
Do cedar trees go completely dormant in winter?
Not completely. Dormancy is a spectrum. Cedars enter a deep rest period called "endodormancy" when they are triggered by cold temperatures and shorter days. In that state, they will not grow no matter how warm it gets for a few days. That prevents them from being tricked by a winter thaw. Once they experience enough cold hours, they shift to "ecodormancy," where they are just waiting for the right conditions to wake up.
Cedar roots are the most active part during winter. If you live in a region where the ground rarely freezes hard, like the Pacific Northwest or the southern United States, your cedar's roots might grow all winter long. In colder zones (USDA zones 3–5), the top few inches of soil freeze, but deeper roots remain just above freezing and can slowly extend.
New needle growth is not happening in winter. If you see fresh bright green tips in January, that is a sign of a warm spell or a different type of tree. True cedars (like Cedrus deodara or Cedrus libani) wait until late spring to push new growth.
Can you plant a cedar tree in winter?
Yes, you can plant cedars in winter as long as the ground is not frozen. In fact, winter planting is sometimes called "dormant planting" and works well for bare-root cedars. The tree is asleep, so transplant shock is lower. It has time to settle its roots before the growing season starts.
Here are a few practical tips for winter planting:
- Choose a day when soil is workable — not muddy, not frozen solid.
- Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
- Water the tree well after planting, even in winter. Roots need moisture to establish.
- Mulch around the base with 2–3 inches of wood chips or bark. This insulates the roots.
- Do not fertilize in winter. Cedars cannot use the nutrients while dormant.
One tool that helps ensure success is a soil thermometer. It lets you check if the ground is above 40°F, which is the minimum for root growth. You can find affordable soil thermometers on Amazon for around $10–15. They are a simple way to be more confident about winter planting.
Check out popular soil thermometers on Amazon — they are small, cheap, and useful for any gardener.
How should you care for cedars in winter?
Cedars are tough trees, but winter can still stress them. A little care goes a long way. Here is a quick checklist you can follow:
| Winter Care Task | When to Do It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Water deeply if dry | Any time soil is not frozen | Prevents winter desiccation (drying out) |
| Add a layer of mulch | Late fall before first hard freeze | Insulates roots and keeps soil moist |
| Wrap young trees in burlap | Early winter | Protects from windburn and sunscald |
| Shake off heavy snow | After each snowfall | Prevents branches from breaking |
| Avoid deicing salt near roots | All winter | Salt burns roots and damages soil |
| Do not prune | Wait until late winter or early spring | Pruning in deep cold can damage tissue |
Winter desiccation is a common problem for cedars. This happens when the ground is frozen but the air is dry and windy. The needles lose moisture faster than the roots can replace it. To prevent this, water your cedar thoroughly in late fall before the ground freezes, and consider using an anti-desiccant spray on the needles. These sprays form a waxy coating that reduces water loss.
If you have a small number of cedars or a prized specimen, an anti-desiccant spray is an easy solution. You just spray the whole tree on a calm day above freezing. It lasts through the winter.
Browse top-rated anti-desiccant sprays on Amazon — many brands are available and one bottle covers several trees.
Do cedars need extra water in winter?
Yes, but only if the winter is dry. Many people think that because it is cold, trees do not need water. That is a mistake. Cedars are evergreens and they lose moisture through their needles all year long. When the ground is frozen, they cannot take up water. But when the ground thaws during a warm spell, the roots need moisture.
If you have not had rain or snow in two weeks, give your cedar a slow, deep watering. Use a hose on a trickle or a watering can. Pour the water near the drip line (the edge of the branches), not against the trunk. A moisture meter is a handy tool: it tells you whether the soil is dry 4–6 inches down, which is where cedar roots live.
Moisture meters are inexpensive, have no batteries, and give you a reading in seconds. Gardeners find them very useful for winter watering decisions.
Find simple moisture meters on Amazon — they are a cheap way to avoid over- or under-watering.
Should you wrap cedar trees in winter?
Wrapping cedars in winter is a good idea for young trees or cedars planted in exposed, windy spots. The wrap protects against two things: sunscald and windburn. Sunscald happens when the winter sun heats the bark during the day, then temperatures drop at night and the bark freezes suddenly. That causes cracking. Windburn dries out the needles, turning them brown on the windward side.
Use a breathable material like burlap or tree wrap. Do not use plastic — it traps moisture and can cause rot. Wrap the trunk loosely and secure with twine. For small cedars, you can even put a burlap screen or "teepee" around the whole tree. Remove the wrap in early spring before new growth starts.
Tree wrap tape is one of the most popular products for this job. It is easy to apply and protects the bark from harsh weather. It comes in rolls that last for years.
See winter tree wraps on Amazon — you will find options for both large and small trees.
Do cedar trees lose their needles in winter?
Not normally. Cedars are evergreens, so they hold their needles for 2–3 years. However, you may see some inner needles turn brown and drop in autumn or winter. That is old needles getting shed — a natural part of the tree's life. As long as the outer tips stay green, your tree is healthy.
If you see whole branches turning brown in winter, that is a red flag. The most likely cause is winter drought — the tree could not get enough water to its needles. Another cause is a severe cold snap after a warm spell. Cedars can recover from minor browning, but if more than 30% of the foliage turns brown, you might need to prune the dead parts in spring.
One way to reduce needle loss is to keep the soil consistently moist through fall. That gives the tree a full water tank going into winter. Also, avoid planting cedars in very windy spots — that dries them out faster.
Can cedar mulch be added in winter?
Absolutely. In fact, winter is a great time to add a fresh layer of mulch around your cedars. Mulch insulates the roots, keeps the soil temperature more steady, and prevents frost heaving. Frost heaving is when the soil freezes and thaws repeatedly, pushing the tree's roots upward. A good 3-inch layer of organic mulch stops that.
Best mulch choices: shredded bark, wood chips, pine needles, or compost. Avoid fresh sawdust or grass clippings, which can mat down and block air. Keep the mulch 2–3 inches away from the trunk to avoid rot.
If you want to buy cedar mulch (which also repels some insects), it is widely available in garden centers and online. But any organic mulch works fine — the type of tree does not matter to the cedar.
What should you do with potted cedars in winter?
Potted cedars are more vulnerable in winter because their roots are above ground and exposed to cold air. The container can freeze solid, killing the roots. If you have a cedar in a pot, you have a few options:
- Move the pot to an unheated garage or shed. The tree will stay dormant but protected from extreme cold.
- Bury the pot in the ground up to its rim. This insulates the roots like they were planted.
- Wrap the pot with bubble wrap, blankets, or burlap. Add a thick layer of mulch around the base.
- Water occasionally if the soil is dry and not frozen.
Potted cedars also need protection from drying winds. You can wrap the entire pot and the lower branches with frost cloth. Even with good care, a potted cedar is less likely to survive a harsh winter than one in the ground. If you live in zone 5 or colder, consider planting it in the ground in spring.
Is it normal for cedars to look dull or brown in winter?
Yes. Many cedars take on a dull green, bronze, or even slightly purplish tint in winter. That is a protective response, not damage. The tree produces anthocyanins (a pigment) in the needles to act as a sunscreen and antifreeze. It also slows down photosynthesis by closing pores (stomata) to reduce water loss. When spring comes, the color returns.
Some cedar species show more winter color change than others. Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) tends to stay greener, while Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) and Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) may turn more bronze. False cedars like Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) also show winter browning. None of these changes are harmful.
If you are worried about your cedar's health, do a simple scratch test. Use a fingernail or small knife to gently scrape a tiny piece of bark off a branch. If the layer underneath is green, the branch is alive. If it is brown, that branch is dead and can be pruned in spring.
Does snow help or hurt cedar trees?
Snow is mostly good for cedars. A layer of snow acts as insulation for the roots, keeping the soil temperature from dropping too fast. It also provides moisture when it melts. However, heavy wet snow can accumulate on branches and bend or break them. That is a problem for cedars with multiple leaders or wide-spreading branches.
What to do: After a heavy snow, gently brush the snow off the branches with a broom or your hands. Use an upward sweeping motion to lift the snow off. Do not shake the branches harshly — that can crack frozen wood. If a branch bends but does not break, it may snap back into place when the snow is removed.
Cedars with a narrow, upright shape (like 'Blue Arrow' juniper, a type of false cedar) are more likely to suffer snow damage. For those, consider wrapping them loosely with twine in late fall to keep branches together until spring.