I just had a major relandscape job done and the fellow so kindly left me a map detailing all my plants, etc. The one that concerns me slightly is what he is calling ALASKAN CEDAR. Not sure what species et - is it too close to the house? How long until full height? Concerned that bed it sits on the mulch rests against house and am thinking of having this bed redone if tree is too close. Can't tell if it is dwarf or will just keep on growing..thank you!
That does look like whats commonly called "Alaskan cedar" although it's no cedar, actually in the cypress family in the genus Xanthocyparis. some cultivars grow very narrow, but even so, I think it is too close to the window.
The stump is about 3 feet away on a diaganol from the window. Lousy picture, makes it look like it is right on top of the window but around 3 feet...Still too close?
me again! I measured this time. It is around 5 feet from window but about 3 feet from corner of bump out on window....So safely say 3 feet from a point on the house...
Yes: This will grow into a tall tree. Eventually someone will decide it is too much for the location and cut it down or have to pay someone else to do it. This can be expensive. There will also be a stump that will have to be dealt with. Better to move the tree out away from the building now, while it is still small. Winter would be a good time of year for this, unless the tree was just planted and has not rooted out much yet. If it is not yet established it can be moved right away.
...or find a good gardener to prune your yard once or twice a year & he can do the tree in the Japanese manner. This can look very classy from both inside & out, & will keep the size under control for many years to come. Pay to get it done right tho'. I suggest you might find a yard in your area with pruning & shaping you like, bang on the door & ask who the craftsman is. Good for the local economy & neighbourhood feeling too! gb.
I am definately all about paying to have the yard done right. What is Japanese manner though? I do like the tree in that spot and would be fine having it pruned to keep it small but this might be a dumb question but how do you avoid the stump from just getting REALLY fat? I mean no matter how much you prune, it won't stay skinny in the trunk area, right? Melissa
Melissa, The photo below is an example of a pine that is quite mature & pruned to grow in a defined space next to a commercial building in a large "planter". On the West Coast of both US & Canada this style of controlling & shaping trees is fairly common. It is formally or loosely based on severe but artistic pruning, at which the Japanese are the masters. If done well it is a delight. A skilled gardener will know what you are talking about. Who knows - you might start a trend? Any help? Do a web search & I am sure you see lots of wonderful ancient trees with amazing natural & artificial shapes. gb
Sorry, I forgot "how do you avoid the stump from just getting REALLY fat?" Root pruning :). You have to get it done in conjunction & proportion with the top. Great hobby this stuff...if you need one. gb
Have it moved! Shaping it as glass brain suggests is not really going to work with a tree known for its graceful, pendulous foliage (save that technique for the pines & junipers). It really is too close to your window and doesn't work aesthetically.
Great, I added that link to my favourites. Very useful. Look what you can do with some imagination & sharp implements. BTW look what you can do with Japonesque pruning on droopy things...Hah! gb
I love that one, Glass Brain and I enjoyed the bad pruning gallery pix too! I feel a lot better.I had the landscaper come back this evening and we addressed an area where mulch/soil was touching my home and got that taken care of (was kind of high against the vinyl siding). The weeping cedar I actually have gotten attached to it! I couldn't bear to take it down. I measured it and plan to keep it at it's current height thru proper pruning. I know call me crazy but I don't want a BIG tree anywhere on my property and plan to keep it small. Should this not work many years from now I will have it removed but I want to try. I just really like it. Me who has never cared about a tree got attached to a tree. Go figure! :) THanks for the last pic, Glass Brain. I filed that one away for future use. I appreciate everyone's help but got the matter solved. Thanks
RE "The weeping cedar I actually have gotten attached to it! I couldn't bear to take it down." Technically, you don't have a weeping cedar. That's Xanthocyparis nootkatensis. The better common name is probably Nootka cypress. Glass brain did however share a picture of what can rightly be called a weeping cedar. Although the pruning doesn't look very japanese to me.......do you have the before pic glass brain? That plant, Cedrus atlantica 'glauca pendula' or something similar (Cedrus libani var. atlantica 'glauca pendula' to some) belongs to the genus cedrus, which contains the 2 to 4 species of real cedars. I realize this is a nerdy sematic distinction but point it out because this is a botanical website and some people are confused about what a cedar is, because many Cupressaceae are commonly called cedars, despite being junipers, arborvitae, etc. Plus it took me a while to learn this and now you have learned it!
Toddthelorax. Thanks for bringing me up short. I agree to be more precise (not one of my major talents) in future. I guess under the light hearted banter, I am making the point that we can all get much more appreciation, understanding & enjoyment of the world around us if we actually LOOK at & THINK about & CARE for the plants surrounding us. scottmel. I hope you enjoy your Xanthocyparis nootkatensis (thanks goodness for "paste") for however long it lasts in that tight spot. That is a pretty ugly Cedrus altantica isn't it? Sorry about that. gb
