Cedrus atlantica

$160.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 50cm 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm/33cm: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 30m (approx.)

Mature Width: 9m to 12m

Cedrus atlantica is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Cedrus atlantica

Cedrus atlantica, the Atlas Cedar, is a large evergreen conifer from the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. Young trees are stiffly pyramidal with ascending branches, and with age the crown broadens and flattens into the tiered silhouette the species is known for. Needles are short, held in tight clusters, and range from grey green to blue green.

Full sun and deep, free-draining soil give the best result. It is drought tolerant once established, dislikes waterlogging, and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage. Growth is about 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean districts suit it, including dry inland gardens with genuinely cold winters.

This is a specimen tree for large gardens, parks, rural entrances, golf courses and civic landscapes where there is room to see it from a distance. It is also planted in shelter belts. Give the tiered mature form space and it will outlast everything else on the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Atlas Cedar

How big does Atlas Cedar grow?

It is a large tree. In Australian gardens expect 15 to 25 metres tall and 8 to 12 metres wide over several decades, and taller again on a deep, cool site. Growth is around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it takes its time. It is not a tree for a suburban courtyard.

How fast does it grow?

Roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, which is moderate for a conifer. Growth is faster in the first fifteen or twenty years and slows as the crown broadens and flattens. Deep watering through the establishment years makes a noticeable difference. Trees on shallow or poorly drained ground grow slowly and never develop the same form.

Is it drought tolerant?

Yes, once established. It comes from dry mountain country in North Africa and is well adapted to hot, dry summers with cold winters, which describes much of inland southern Australia. Water it through the first three summers to get roots down. After that it needs only occasional deep watering in extended drought.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes. It survives heavy and frequent frost without damage and handles snow, which makes it a sound choice for the alpine fringe, the tablelands, Canberra and cold Victorian and Tasmanian districts. Young trees benefit from shelter from severe drying wind in their first winter, but no frost protection is required.

What is the difference between Atlas Cedar and the blue form?

They are the same species. Cedrus atlantica Glauca Group is a selection with strongly blue grey needles, while plants grown as the straight species range from green to grey green, sometimes with a blue cast. Form, size and cultural needs are identical, so the difference comes down to foliage colour alone.

Does it have invasive roots?

No. Atlas Cedar develops a deep, spreading root system that is not aggressive towards pipes, footings or paving. The practical issue is size rather than roots, so allow at least 8 metres from a building for the mature crown. Avoid planting into shallow soil over rock, where anchorage is poor and growth suffers.

How do I care for an Atlas Cedar?

Plant into free-draining ground, stake only if the site is exposed, and water deeply but infrequently through the first three summers. Keep mulch clear of the trunk. Do not prune the leader or shorten the lower limbs unnecessarily, since the tiered form depends on them. Feeding is rarely needed in reasonable soil.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Avenue Planting
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Cedrus atlantica works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Cedrus atlantica Evergreen or Deciduous?

Cedrus atlantica is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 30m (approx.)

Mature Width: 9m to 12m

Cedrus atlantica is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Cedrus atlantica

Cedrus atlantica is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Cedrus atlantica

Is Cedrus atlantica frost tolerant?

Cedrus atlantica is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Cedrus atlantica Flower?

Cedrus atlantica produces small, upright pale green to yellow male cones and smaller female cones in autumn. While not showy, these seasonal structures sit among the blue-green needles and mark the beginning of its slow development into large, woody seed cones.

Does Cedrus atlantica flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Autumn

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Cedrus atlantica an Australian Native Tree?

No

Cedrus atlantica is Native to Native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria, Cedrus atlantica (Atlas Cedar) is a magnificent evergreen conifer admired for its silvery-blue to blue-green needles, strong pyramidal form, and graceful horizontal branching. A stately, drought-tolerant tree that provides structure, colour, and year-round beauty in large gardens or landscapes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Cedrus atlantica ?

Its dense evergreen canopy provides year-round shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, while the cones support insects and cone-feeding species. The layered branching also creates cool micro-habitats that enhance overall garden biodiversity.

How much Sunlight does Cedrus atlantica need?

Cedrus atlantica will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Cedrus atlantica performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures and develops outstanding drought resilience.

Is Cedrus atlantica Drought Tolerant?

Is Cedrus atlantica Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Cedrus atlantica develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry and exposed environments and maintains its strong, architectural form with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Cedrus atlantica

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Cedrus atlantica

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Cedrus atlantica is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Cedrus atlantica

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Cedrus atlantica in Different Soil

Cedrus atlantica performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Atlas Cedar grow in pots? While young, yes, but it's best planted in the ground due to its eventual size.
Is the Atlas Cedar suitable for smaller gardens? Due to its size, it's better suited for larger spaces.