western red cedar

Western Red Cedar: The Sleek Privacy Solution for the North Suburbs

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata 'Virescens'), a needle-bearing evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae family, is a top-tier selection for Midwest landscapes available at our Mundelein nursery. Unlike the broader native species, the 'Virescens' cultivar is specifically prized for its narrow, upright habit and lustrous, deep green foliage that resists winter browning. For homeowners in Highwood or Lake Forest looking to add a reliable year-round privacy screen and a sturdy visual presence to their properties, this tree is a practical choice. Its ability to maintain a tight, manicured form and its natural resilience to the fluctuating temperatures of Lake County make it a steady performer in any garden where functional screening and elegant structure are the primary goals.

Performance in Northern Illinois Soil

This cultivar is exceptionally hardy in our Zone 5b climate and is a representative selection for residential landscapes throughout the region. While many evergreens struggle with the heavy clay found in the North Suburbs, the western red cedar grows well in them, as it is notably more tolerant of varying soil conditions than many other conifers. It is successful in the managed landscapes of Bannockburn, where its root system can anchor firmly in rich, mulched soil. In Lincolnshire, these trees act as a durable landscaping staple, providing a lush, dark green backdrop that remains vibrant even during the harshest winter months.

Size, Spacing, and Growth Habit

Planning for the mature dimensions and vertical nature of this tree ensures it provides the intended visual impact without requiring excessive maintenance.

• Mature Height: Under typical Illinois garden conditions, the western red cedar typically reaches 20 to 30 feet tall. Its verticality makes it a functional tool for creating tall hedges without taking up excessive yard space.

• Mature Width: The canopy spread typically spans 8 to 10 feet wide, maintaining a dense, formal, and strictly pyramidal silhouette.

• Growth Rate: This tree is commonly known for a fast growth rate, often adding 18 to 24 inches of new height per year once established. This allows it to reach a functional screening size much faster than most yews or spruces.

• Foliage Habit: The foliage consists of flat, fan-like sprays that are a rich, glossy green. It is commonly noted for maintaining this deep color through the winter, avoiding the bronze tint seen in other arborvitae.

• Spacing Requirements: To create a seamless living wall or privacy hedge, space individual trees 5 to 6 feet apart from center to center. This distance is commonly utilized to achieve a productive and solid evergreen barrier.

Environmental Requirements

Understanding the site-specific needs of the western red cedar is a key step for ensuring its health and longevity.

• Sun Exposure: It performs best in full sun to partial shade. In the warmer summers of Riverwoods, providing some afternoon shade can be a practical strategy to keep the foliage looking its best.

• Moisture Needs: Consistent moisture is a primary requirement. This tree prefers well-drained, moist soil and does not tolerate extreme drought. Providing regular water during dry spells is a standard requirement for success.

• Winter Resilience: This is a sturdy selection that handles the weight of heavy Lake County snow well, as its flexible branches allow snow to slide off rather than accumulate and break limbs.

• Soil Chemistry: This tree is commonly adaptable to a wide range of soil pH levels, making it a reliable choice for the various soil profiles found across Deerfield.

Landscape Characteristics

In the North Suburbs, this evergreen serves as a source of year-round interest and functional landscape support:

• Tall Screening: Because of its narrow habit and rapid growth, the western red cedar is the primary choice for creating tall living fences in residential areas where space is a premium.

• Wind Protection: Its density makes it a functional tool for reducing wind speed and providing a sound buffer for properties near busy roads in Northbrook.

• Year-Round Color: The foliage maintains a dark, lustrous green hue through all seasons. It provides a functional visual anchor in the garden even when deciduous plants are dormant.

• Texture: The fine-textured sprays of needles provide a sophisticated visual element that contrasts well with the coarse texture of masonry or the broad leaves of shade trees.

• Low Maintenance: This tree is a low-maintenance selection. Its natural habit requires very little manual intervention to remain organized and productive for decades.

Planting and Maintenance Advice

To ensure your tree remains healthy and maintains its dense foliage each year, follow these straightforward care steps:

• Site Preparation: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade is a practical step to ensure healthy root respiration in clay-heavy soil.

• Watering Routine: During the first three years of establishment, providing regular, deep watering—especially during dry spells in July and August—is a functional necessity.

• Mulching: Maintain a 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk. This is a practical step to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

• Winter Irrigation: Watering the tree deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes is a practical strategy to ensure it has adequate internal moisture to survive the winter months.

• Sanitation: Removing any dead interior needles in early spring is a practical strategy to improve airflow and keep the plant looking tidy.

Reliable Companion Plants for our Area

To create a functional, multi-layered environment, consider pairing your trees with other durable varieties from The Country Bumpkin:

• Purple Coneflower or Coral Bells provide a beautiful color contrast against the dark green needles.

• The airy texture of Fountain Grass or Switchgrass complements the solid, vertical structure of the tree.

• Planting Hydrangeas or Spirea nearby provides a soft, rounded contrast to the sharp lines of the cedar.

• White Tulips or yellow Daffodils provide an early seasonal contrast to the dark green backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions (Lake County Edition)

Is the western red cedar deer resistant?

This cultivar is commonly cited for having much better deer resistance than the 'Emerald Green' variety. While no plant is entirely immune, deer in Lake Forest and Highwood typically find this species less palatable.

How does it differ from a 'Green Giant'?

The 'Virescens' western red cedar stays much narrower and has a more refined, glossy foliage texture compared to the massive 'Green Giant', making it a practical choice for smaller suburban yards.

Why are some of the inner needles turning brown?

This is commonly a natural process called "interior needle shed" that occurs in the autumn. As long as the outer growth remains vibrant and green, the tree is simply shedding older needles that are no longer productive.

Visit The Country Bumpkin Garden Center

We are located at the corner of Gilmer Rd & Hawley St in Mundelein. Stop by to see the sturdy structure and experience the potential of a western red cedar for your own garden and find the right fit for your landscape. We are a local resource for gardeners across Highwood, Lake Forest, Bannockburn, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Deerfield, Northbrook, and the surrounding communities.

Call (847) 566-2176 or Send a Message to check current availability.