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How to Fertilize a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Tree

By: D.C. Winston

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21 September, 2017

Weeping blue atlas cedar, known botanically as Cedrus atlantica Pendula, is an evergreen tree native to the mountainous regions of North Africa. The trees reach up to 15 feet in height at maturity and up to 10 feet in spread with small needle-like foliage that is less than 2 inches in length. The needles have a pronounced blue-green-grey hue and a matte finish. The branches drape back down against or near the trunk as opposed to spreading out or upwards as a typical blue cedar would.

Due to their unusual and airy growth form and rich coloration, they are grown almost exclusively as specimen trees in the landscape or as miniature or bonsai trees.

Fertilize your weeping blue atlas cedar tree once every other year or every two years in the spring as soon as the soil is thawed, the last frost has passed and the soil can easily be worked. This timing provides nutrients during the tree's peak growth period but fertilizer can be applied up until the middle of July.

Weeping blue atlas cedar, known botanically as Cedrus atlantica Pendula, is an evergreen tree native to the mountainous regions of North Africa.
This timing provides nutrients during the tree's peak growth period but fertilizer can be applied up until the middle of July.

Determine the square footage of soil surrounding your weeping blue Atlantic cedar and apply up to 2 pounds of a 10-8-6 fertilizer for every 500 square feet of soil space the tree covers.

Scatter the fertilizer granules around the root zone of the tree evenly starting at least a foot out from the trunk and extending at least 1 foot past the ends of the widest branches. Nestle the fertilizer into the top 1 to 2 inches of soil with a rake or cultivating fork.

Water the fertilizer in well until the soil becomes drenched to a depth of at least 10 inches to begin to percolate the nutrients down towards the cedar roots.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Tree Planting Instructions

Weeping blue atlas cedar trees can grow in partial shade but prefer full sun. Weeping blue atlas cedar trees like well-draining, deep, loamy soil that is acidic to slightly alkaline. These trees don’t like to have wet feet; they prefer average to dry moisture levels. Their height and width is determined by how they are staked when young. Staking is required or the trees will become prostrate and “creep,” or grow along the ground. Sap suckers can riddle the trees’ trunks with small holes, but this usually causes no damage or stress to the trees, so pesticides or other control measures are not warranted.

Determine the square footage of soil surrounding your weeping blue Atlantic cedar and apply up to 2 pounds of a 10-8-6 fertilizer for every 500 square feet of soil space the tree covers.
Water the fertilizer in well until the soil becomes drenched to a depth of at least 10 inches to begin to percolate the nutrients down towards the cedar roots.