Re: [gardeners] Atlas cedar

jaime (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sat, 30 Jan 1999 12:06:41 -0400

> Speaking of tree suggestions, we're thinking about an atlas
> cedar for our front yard -- specifically, a weeping blue atlas
> cedar.  Anybody know anything about them?
> 
> David

David, 

I have a 15 - 20 year old one that I inherited with the house.  
Aside from the fact that someone chopped off one of the main 
(lateral) branches (the tree can be turned so that it can't be 
seen), it's a large and much-admired specimen by those in the 
know (several arborists & landscape designers).  Except IMO it 
is one of the world's most horrendously ugly trees.  If you 
would care to make me an offer, you are more than welcome to 
come on up, help me remove it from the tie raised bed it is in, 
ball it up ... it's yours.  I'll even make lunch and most likely 
throw in a trunkful of perennial divisions (ask 'em what's been 
here about how that works :).  Since it is in way less than 
perfect condition, it'll be cheap for the price.  ;^)  There 
were several Ratchet uses that did the poor tree no favors but 
seems to have done it no great harm, either.

Should you be interested, I'll put a photo of it up on the web.

The only way I've been able to figure out how to use this thing 
design-wise and not get ill everytime I look at it is to put it 
raised & next to a waterfall. 

What would you like to know about it?  It's growing in 
part-shade, sandy, rather poor soil.  It's competing with a 
carpet of 15 y.o. blue rug juniper for what little nutrition 
there is ~ under a covering of landscape fabric and large red 
"decorative" rock.  I've never fed the thing & it still grows 
about a foot a year.  My sense is that one is hard-pressed to 
kill the thing.

Save me from further attempts at tree murder, please.  :)

Jaime
jknoble@warwick.net
USDA Zone 6/5 ==> NW NJ
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.