Identify and propagate white cedar by cutting

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have a tree in my lawn that was planted by a previous owner an unknown number of years ago. I'm about 90% sure that it's some form of white cedar. I'm not sure if it's just the raw species or one of the named cultivars. But it's a pretty nice size for adding to the wind break I want to establish close to the house. So I'm thinking of trying to start a few new ones from cutting. I'm aware of the fact that white cedar is slow growing and I'm ok with the delayed gratification. I also have a pussy willow (also planted by previous owner). So I'm thinking I'll take a shot at brewing my own root hormone from the salix discolor by cutting up and boiling several twigs. Then soaking the cedar cutting in the salix water over night before planting them in sand to root. It seems like it should be a pretty fun experiment.

So here's the question. I'm wondering if anyone wants to take crack and identifying the cultivar of white cedar. It's about 10 to 12ft tall and maybe 6 to 8ft wide. I'm thinking maybe it could be techny. Thoughts?

Here are some pics:

Well you can't see it as well as I had hope in the pic but it has 3 primary leaders.

Here are some shots of the twigs.

Here's a couple more full tree shots:

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Comments (9)

User
6 years ago
'techny' was my thought also.
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If as bluish as it appears in these shots then probably 'Nigra'. (Although cultivar is described as being distinguished by a darker green color contemporary material I have seen under the name - both in person and in pictures - has been a somewhat glaucous form with paddle-like sprays in the manner of kinds like 'Wareana').
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Daniel Central IN, Zone 6a
Original Author
6 years ago
Hmm, well it might be a little bit bluish. I think the color is off a bit in the photos thought. In real life it doesn't really look quite a bluish as it does in the pics. It's right beside a blue spruce and definitely looks very green beside the spruce. From what I'm reading it looks like 'Nigra' has the more tall and narrow form that's common in so many arborvitae varieties and Techny is wider in proportion to the height. It seems to me like this one is favoring more toward a wider form. But I could be judging incorrectly. I guess time will give a more complete picture. I think either of those cultivars would be fine for my windbreak. If rooting with the willow water is successful maybe I'll have to post of pictures of that process for everyone to enjoy.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
if you convert to the latin of the species name ... and then google propagation of said species name... you ought to be on the right track ...

the cultivar name is not all that important to basic biology ...

you should also refer to dirr's manual for propagation of woody plants ...

the base problem is that the term CEDAR .. is used for a multitude of plants ... across diverse geographical regions ... and that can lead you down the wrong path.. if you are relying on a common name .. in a search engine

ken
Daniel Central IN, Zone 6a
Original Author
6 years ago
This is a very good point. When I refer to White Cedar I'm referencing Thuja occidentalis. A native tree but apparently considered state endangered. I'll have to check your recommendation on the book. I've just been using Internet articles that say clip, add root homone, plant in sand till roots develop.
Embothrium
6 years ago
Notice the similarity here:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=f%2b5W0Zf4&id=FFDCBE218D5FB7A43EBF82AB8778F24AA5459FDB&thid=OIP.f-5W0Zf451deycXOyxFKZgEsDh&q=thuja+occidentalis+nigra&simid=608045273433770358&selectedIndex=18&ajaxhist=0
Daniel Central IN, Zone 6a
Original Author
6 years ago
Yep, I'm definitely seeing the similarity. I'm seeing the bluishness now too. So I'm starting to think nigra is a strong candidate here. Anyway my first attempt to propagate isn't looking good. The cuttings look like they are dying. I think the soil I'm trying to root them in stayed too wet. And the room I was keeping them in was too warm. I'm probably going to try again some time soon with a higher sand ratio and a cooler temperatures. Maybe I can start a new thread with some pics from that experiment.
Mike McGarvey
6 years ago
Thujas are relatively easy to root. Cool partial shade and damp is what the cuttings like. Outdoors in the shade is easier than inside in most cases. If inside, the basement is best. Now is the time.
sam_md
6 years ago

HERE is a link from ACS which describes a propagation chamber with the details for rooting cuttings.

Identify and propagate white cedar by cutting

Comments (9)

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Embothrium

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Identify and propagate white cedar by cutting

Comments (9)

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Embothrium

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