Habitat

• Ornamental cedars are found in a variety of locations across the United States. Cedars do especially well in USDA zones 6 to 9, where the annual minimum temperature never dips below freezing. All cedars adapt well in dry climates, as long as they are protected from harsh winds.
  
  

Soil

• Typically, cedars do well in nutrient-rich, well-draining soils, but the trees are tolerant of other soil types, such as clay and even sand. Add fertilizer to the soil only if a soil test indicates that there is a nutrient deficiency in your garden. Cedars are prone to fertilizer burning, which can occur if you fertilize the soil when it does not need additional nutrients. Fertilizer burning can damage and even kill a cedar.
  
  

Water

• Cedar seeds, seedlings and the tree's roots store water very efficiently. When you water a cedar tree on your landscape, make sure that you water deeply, rather than frequently. Water until you notice runoff near the tree, then stop and let the water soak in. Several days later, check the soil before you water again. Only water when the soil is becoming dry. Don't muddy or flood the soil, which could damage the tree. Because cedar trees are fairly drought- tolerant, you can easily cause water stress if you overwater during the fall or winter, especially if the summer is very dry.
  
  

Sunlight

• Ornamental cedar trees thrive in full sunshine, though they will tolerate partial shade. If you are propagating seedlings, the seedlings should be kept at a temperature no lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit for at least six weeks. Take into consideration the light requirements of your particular variety of cedar before you select a planting location. Don't plant a cedar tree in a location where it will need to compete for food or water from other plants or trees. And don't plant a cedar in an area that may become wooded and shaded during the life of the tree.