While there are many beloved deciduous trees planted in Southeast Michigan, including oaks, maples, and dogwoods, many homeowners enjoy the year-round privacy and screening value that evergreens provide. And while several evergreen trees thrive in the Great Lakes State, cedars are some of the most popular.
We’ll share some of the key care and service requirements of Michigan’s cedars below, so you can learn to take good care of your trees and know the kind of professional maintenance they require.
Michigan’s Cedar Species
There are a variety of native and exotic cedar trees that are commonly seen in residential properties around Michigan. For clarity, we’ll cover each group separately.
It is important to note that many different trees feature the word “cedar” in their name, despite not being particularly closely related. Sometimes, arborists will refer to cedars as being either a “true” cedar or some type of “false” cedar. But for our purposes here, we’ll consider any tree containing the word cedar in its common name to be a cedar tree.
Tree Knowledge Pro Tip: If a tree’s common name is hyphenated, it often indicates that it is not a true member of the species or group in question. For example, the Douglas-fir tree has a hyphenated name because it is not a true fir tree.
Native Michigan Cedar Species
There are only two cedar species native to the state of Michigan. Neither of them is a true cedar, but they’re both fantastic trees, which can bring just about any property to life.
- Northern White-Cedar (Thuja occidentalis): Also called the eastern white-cedar or arborvitae, the northern white-cedar is typically a medium-sized tree that reaches about 50 feet in height (exceptional individuals may surpass the 100-foot mark). A denizen of wetlands and coniferous swamps, this species is unfortunately experiencing population decline in the wild.
- Eastern Red-Cedar (Juniperus virginiana): Found across most of the eastern United States, the eastern red-cedar is also called an eastern juniper by some. Usually reaching heights of 40 to 60 feet, this highly adaptable species may only grow as a shrub in very poor habitats. Eastern red-cedars produce pretty blue berry-like cones, which often attract songbirds.
Common Non-Native Cedar Species in Michigan
In addition to the two cedars that call Michigan home, there are a few nonnative cedars that are commonly planted by homeowners. These include both true cedars and “false” cedars, like our natives.
- Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara): Native to the Himalayas, the Deodar cedar is a popular ornamental, which is prized for its elegant growth habit and gracefully drooping branches. Unfortunately, the Deodar cedar can struggle in Michigan’s climate, as it typically grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9 (Michigan primarily falls in zones 4, 5, and 6).
- Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica): Like the Deodar cedar, the Atlas cedar is a “true” cedar that can also exhibit drooping branches (though they’re not as pronounced in the Atlas cedar). The Atlas cedar is also larger, occasionally reaching heights in excess of 120 feet. The Atlas cedar is slightly better suited for Michigan’s cold winters, but it can still struggle in our state.
- Western Red-Cedar (Thuja plicata): An absolutely enormous tree, the western red-cedar occasionally reaches 225 feet in height or more, making it too large for many residential properties. Native to the Pacific Northwest, this species is common in relatively cool, damp forests, making it (especially some of the cold-adapted cultivars) slightly more appropriate for Michigan’s cold winters.
- Japanese Arborvitae (Thuja standishii): The Japanese arborvitae is a medium-sized tree that generally reaches 50 to 60 feet in height. The species isn’t especially common in Michigan (or anywhere else outside its natural range), except as a part of many common arborvitae cultivars, created by crossing it with the western red-cedar.
It’s important to note that some common cultivars planted around Michigan — such as the ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae are actually hybrids, created by crossing a western red-cedar and Japanese arborvitae.
How to Care for Your Cedar Trees: A Michigan Homeowner’s Guide
To ensure your cedars thrive, reach their full potential, and always look their best, it’s important to provide them with the kind of care they require. Fortunately, most of these requirements are relatively easy for homeowners to fulfill.
Plant the Right Tree in the Right Space
The single most important step for success with any tree is planting it in a suitable location. That not only means picking a spot that offers sufficient space but also the right environmental conditions for the tree.
Starting with light requirements, most cedars that are planted in Michigan will thrive best in areas with full sun exposure. However, northern white-cedars, Japanese arborvitae, and western red-cedar can adapt to light shade.
The soil conditions and moisture requirements of these species, on the other hand, vary pretty drastically across the group. Northern white-cedars can tolerate damp, poorly drained soils, as can western red-cedars and Japanese arborvitae to some extent. Meanwhile, Atlas cedars, Deodar cedars, and eastern red-cedars all require relatively dry, well-drained soils. Most of these species prefer slightly acidic soil, except for the northern white-cedar, which prefers slightly alkaline conditions.
Apply a Layer of Mulch
No matter what kind of cedar tree you have in your yard, you’ll want to cover the root zone with a 2- to 4-inch-thick layer of organic mulch. This will provide a ton of benefits, including:
- Retain soil moisture
- Moderate soil temperatures
- Provide organic material to the soil
- Improve soil structure
- Protect the trunk and roots from mechanical damage
Just be sure to mulch properly. You want the mulch to extend as close to the drip line (edge of the canopy) as possible, but you don’t want it to contact the trunk; leave a 3- to 6-inch gap between the trunk and the mulch.
Provide Supplemental Water When Appropriate
Most of the cedars commonly grown in Michigan properties have relatively low moisture requirements, so they’ll only need supplemental water for the first year or two after installation and during extended droughts. However, northern white-cedars, western red-cedars, and Japanese arborvitae will appreciate supplemental water on a periodic basis throughout the summer.
Fertilize Only When Needed
Fertilizer can be helpful for ensuring that the soil provides your trees with all of the nutrients they need to thrive. This can be extremely beneficial in disturbed areas with poor soil quality, such as the Detroit suburbs.
However, you should only apply fertilizer after conducting a soil test — this will allow you to assess the exact nutrients that are deficient in the soil, so you can select the appropriate fertilizer formulation. Additionally, it is usually wise to select a slow-release fertilizer, which will help prevent the fertilizer from burning the tree’s roots.
Monitor Your Trees’ Health
It’s critical that you monitor your trees’ health over time, so that you can get professional help at the first sign of trouble. Many health problems and structural issues can be addressed if they’re caught early, but if they’re allowed to persist, treatment will become more expensive or flat-out impossible.
This means you’ll want to look for things like discolored foliage, fungi growing on or around the tree, and pest activity. It’s also important to watch for potential safety hazards, such as dead branches in the canopy.
Trimming & Pruning Cedar Trees in Michigan
Fortunately, cedar trees don’t usually require a lot of pruning. However, there are a few cases in which you’ll need to have someone trim or prune your trees. These scenarios include:
- You’ll want to have your cedar tree structurally pruned while it is young. This helps to establish proper structure and set the tree up for long-term success.
- You may need to have your cedar trees trimmed periodically if you’re growing them as a hedge. This is most common for arborvitae and red-cedars; true cedars and white-cedars don’t work well in these situations.
- You will need to have crown cleanings performed every three to five years. Crown cleaning is a pruning technique that targets dead limbs and seeks to provide proper airflow through the canopy.
- You should always have hazardous limbs removed immediately. This includes any branches that are dead, diseased, or decayed, as they may fall and strike people, pets, or property below.
Homeowners can carry out trimming and pruning work in some cases, but you’ll generally enjoy much better results by leaving this work to the professionals. And any pruning work that takes place above the ground should always be left to arborists; countless people are injured (or worse) each year while trying to perform above-ground tree work.
Common Cedar Tree Problems in Michigan
Unfortunately, cedar trees may suffer from a number of problems in Michigan. A few of the most noteworthy things to watch for include:
- Invertebrates: A variety of insects and other invertebrates feed on cedars, including bagworms. Really a type of caterpillar, these bugs can cause defoliation and are unfortunately becoming more common in Michigan. Spider mites can also be a problem for most of these trees, particularly during dry summers.
- Fungal Diseases: A number of different fungi can attack cedars, including root rots like Phytophthora and Armillaria, and tip blights, such as Phomopsis. Cedar-apple rust is also an important fungus that can attack junipers and red cedars that live in close proximity to apple trees or hawthorns.
- Winter Injury: The combination of low temperatures, sun exposure, and cold, dry winds can cause any of these species (particularly the true cedars) to suffer from brown foliage or tip dieback. These problems are most common on newly planted trees and those located in exposed areas.
- Drainage Problems: Arborvitae and true cedars will often fail to thrive in areas with damp, compacted soils. Trees planted in these kinds of poorly drained areas will often exhibit crown thinning or yellowing of the foliage. Ironically, many homeowners mistake these symptoms for signs of drought stress.
- Wildlife Feeding: Many wild animals will feed on these trees, but arborvitae and western red-cedar are the two most vulnerable species. Deer typically cause the most damage while browsing on these trees during the winter, but rodents may actually girdle these trees by feeding on the bark beneath the snowline.
- General Stress: Because several of these species are not particularly well-adapted to Michigan’s climate (especially the Atlas and Deodar cedars), they often experience significant stress. This can not only kill them outright but also make them more vulnerable to pests, fungal infections, and wildlife damage.
Signs Your Cedar Tree May Require Removal
Ideally, your cedar trees will remain healthy and thrive for decades to come (some northern white-cedars have even eclipsed the 1,000-year-old mark!). However, most trees will eventually suffer from problems that necessitate removal for the safety of nearby people and property.
If you notice any of the following signs, you’ll want to reach out to the professionals at Treemendous Tree Care and schedule a professional assessment:
- Cracks: Cracks indicate that the wood fibers are separating, which indicates that the tree (or some portion of it) is already failing.
- Large Hollows: While hollows don’t always indicate that a tree requires removal, they do indicate the presence of internal decay.
- Foliage Loss: Foliage loss is a common sign associated with many different tree diseases that will require rapid treatment, when possible.
- Discolored Foliage: Discolored foliage can be a sign of a relatively minor issue, but it can also indicate serious problems that predispose a tree to failure.
- Changes to Its Lean: Some trees remain stable despite growing at an angle, but trees that suddenly lean more are at imminent risk of failure.
- Mounding Soil: Mounding soil often occurs when a tree’s root system or the surrounding soil has become compromised, putting it at risk of windthrow.
- Fungal Activity: Mushrooms or conks growing on or near a tree are a sign that the tree or root system may be suffering from decay.
It’s important to note that these problems don’t always mean removal is required. However, you’ll want to let an arborist assess them, so you can be sure they won’t pose a risk to your home or family.
Treemendous Tree Care: Providing Cedar Tree Care in Clinton Township, MI
No matter what kinds of cedar trees you have growing on your Michigan property, it’s important to know where you can turn in case your trees need care, pruning, or removal. That’s easy for homeowners in Sterling Heights, Mount Clemens, or anywhere else in the greater Detroit area: simply contact Treemendous Tree Care — Southeast Michigan’s choice for professional tree-care services.
We’ll be happy to schedule a free on-site inspection, identify the care your trees need, and provide you with a no-obligation estimate. Simply contact us today to get started!
Sources & References
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources – “Michigan Tree List (2024)”
An official statewide list of tree species found in Michigan, used for identification, forestry reference, and ecological planning.
https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/110307C6-9B99-C776-ED4BB078E3588909/michigantreelist2024.pdf - Michigan Department of Natural Resources – “White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)”
A species profile detailing identification characteristics, habitat, and ecological importance of white cedar in Michigan.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/michigan-species/plants-trees/white-cedar - Missouri Botanical Garden – “Thuja occidentalis (American Arborvitae)”
A comprehensive botanical reference covering taxonomy, growth habits, native range, and landscape use of eastern white cedar.
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279622 - U.S. Forest Service – “Plant of the Week: Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae”
An informational profile on the cedar-apple rust fungus, including its occurrence on junipers and its role in wildland plant health. US Forest Service
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/gymnosporangium_juniperi-virginianae.shtml - Michigan State University Extension – “Bagworms Becoming More Common in Michigan”
An extension news article discussing the presence, life cycle, and landscape implications of bagworm pests in Michigan. canr.msu.edu
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/bagworms_becoming_more_common_in_michigan
