Cedric Atlantica - Did I do a terrible thing?

[JimmyBanks]

Good Afternoon all,

I recently purchased a Cedric Atlantica to put in the ground and thicken up.

But before I put it into the ground I wanted to have a look at the trunk line and the like. So, in my great wisdom I decided to defoliate it... Was this a massive mistake and will it survive?

[shibui]

Cedrus don't usually bud from bare wood but they can still sprout if there are still buds or healthy needles.
I can still see plenty of green shoots on that tree so you did not actually defoliate the tree. More like pruned it back a bit. This should still grow back just fine from the shoots you have left on it.

[Watto]

My opinion is that it will live. These are quite slow in getting thicker trunks so ground growing is OK. That is not quite defoliation but you did give it a good hair cut. I wrote about a type of defoliation on ceders on my blog last year and I really need to do a follow up, however I can tell you the tree is fine and growing well.

[JimmyBanks]

Thanks for the quick responses. I’ve still gotta learn the correct terminology clearly. I will have to check out your blog and get some ideas.

[Grant Bowie]

Poor Cedric looks thoroughly plucked, but not terminal as stated above.

Note for future. If you want to fatten up a tree it is best to leave many branches to grow and thicken.
Grant

[JimmyBanks]

Thanks for the tip Grant. I am very new to this so no doubt I will make mistakes but I’m hoping with much reading I can minimise those.

And I just realised that when typing on my iPad I need to remember to check that autocorrect doesn’t change Cedrus to Cedric!!