- Characteristics
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Details
Also sometimes known as the Giant Arbor-vitae, the Western Red Cedar was introduced into Britain from North America in 1853 as a parkland ornamental tree. A tall, narrow tree, it is a cypress, rather than a cedar. It has become a popular alternative to Leylandii as a fragrant evergreen hedge.
Site and soil
The Western Red Cedar does well in any well-drained soil and is very tolerant of shade. Does best in areas of high rainfall which give it the moist atmosphere it prefers.
Height and spread
After 10 years: 2.4m x 1.2m
After 20 years: 6m x 1.5mLeaf and bark
The small, scale-like leaves are borne in flat sprays. They are dark green on the upper surface, paler beneath, and strongly pineapple scented. The bark is reddish, deeply fissured and fibrous.
Flower, seed and fruit
The small flowers open in March, the females yellowish-green, the males red with pale yellow pollen. The cones are 1-2cm long, ripening from green to brown.
Uses
Hedges, shelter, ornamental tree. A good alternative to Leylandii if a slower growing, dense evergreen hedge is required. The very durable timber is both light and strong, and is used for cladding, roof shingles, ladders, garden sheds and rugby posts. Native Americans used Western Red Cedar for canoes and totem poles. The fibrous bark has also been used to make rope and clothing.
Wildlife
The Western Red Cedar’s dense habit provides good shelter for birds in bad weather. Insects shelter in the deeply fissured bark and are a food source for birds.
- Plant Protection
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The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
Vole, Mice
20cmRabbit
60cmHare
75cmRoe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mFallow Deer
1.50mPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Vole, Mice
20cmVole Guard
20cmNone required Pest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Rabbit
60cmSpiral Guard*
60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Easywrap*
60cm x 50-65mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsMesh Guard with Spray Shield
60cm x 130mm2 x Bamboo Canes
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Fruitwrap*
60cm x 65-80mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Ecostart*
60cm x 57-73cm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
60cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Hare
75cmTubex Easywrap*
75cm x 50-65mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsSpiral Guard*
75cm x 50mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Fruitwrap*
75cm x 65-80mm
*Not recommended for this speciesBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Ecostart*
75cm x 57-73mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Combitube
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Roe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mTubex Tree Shelter
1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Combitube
1.20m x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
1.20m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
1.20m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard
1.20m x 300mmMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest Fallow Deer
1.50mTubex Tree Shelter
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Combitube
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard
1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mmMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.80m x 60mmSpraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.
- Planting & Care
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Aftercare
Hedges should be trimmed twice a year in June and September to keep growth dense. If necessary, they can be cut back into old growth without creating bare patches.