Truth about Cedar Trees...?

Question

We have lots of cedar trees all over our property. We were planning on starting a mini apple orchard and one of our neighbors mentioned that fruit trees/plants don't grow well or at all because of the cedars. Apparently-according to him, they give off some sort of toxin the kills fruits & vegetables. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? I can't seem to find any info on online. If anyone knows of any good websites, please let me know. Thanks!

Answer 1

Cedars (junipers, really) may cause root problems for other trees but quick search found nothing like your neighbor claimed. Nothing on www.snopes.com either. Ask him/her to back up claim with reliable source.

Call your county agricultural agent.

Answer 2

Cedar (what we call cedar are actually more closely related to Juniper than to true "cedar" trees) trees have several affects on the soil:

* Allelopathy. This means, chemicals that kill off some plants. These chemicals affect some species more than others. I have read conflicting data about whether or not cedar trees are allelopathic. I do not think it is fully known, or that it has been exhaustively studied, but if it is true, it would explain your neighbor's experience with apples.

* Limestone deposit. Although most evergreens make the soil more acidic (because needles have a lower nitrogen content than leaves, and nitrogen makes the soil less acidic), Cedar has the opposite effect, because it brings Calcium from deeper limestone deposits in the soil, and then deposits it close to the surface. This can actually be a good thing for the soil...this, combined with the fact cedars can't survive well under shade are reasons why eventually, cedar trees are replaced by other trees in a forest.

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Most likely there is another thing going on here: cedars grow best in very poor soil, because they do not need many nutrients to survive and thus can out-compete other plants. If the soil is rich, other plants will grow faster than cedars and out-compete them. If cedars are growing in abundance, it is a sign that the soil in the area is not rich in nutrients. It may be likely that other plants don't grow well near cedars just because the soil is poor and NOTHING grows well there.

The effects of allelopathy are temporary--if you are worried about it, simply cut down and remove the cedars, and the effect (assuming it is real--i am not sure if it is or not) will be removed after a few years. However...the poor soil may be a more serious issue. Apple trees do not need particularly rich soil, so you don't have to worry too much, but it's something to think about. You can always consider planting nitrogen-fixing plants like locust or alder trees; these greatly enrich the soil in the areas they are planted in.

Answer 3

I planted two apple trees in my yard about 12 years ago and no fruit. The trees apear healthy and they are near cedar trees. They do get a lot of light.
I haven't a clue.

Answer 4

SOUNDS RIGHT TO ME--NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE CEDARS ARE REALLY BIG AND YOUR FRUIT TREES WILL NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT THEY NEED-CEDARS ALSO SUCK UP ALOT OF WATER WHICH COULD DEPLETE YOUR FRUIT TREES FROM THEIR SUPPLY. FLEAS DON'T EVEN LIKE CEDAR BECAUSE OF WHATEVER TOXIN IS IN IT AND WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, MY FATHER WAS PUTTING A ROOF ON OUR BARN USING CEDAR SHINGLES AND I WAS UP THEIR TRYING TO HELP HIM-IT WAS SUMMER TIME AND I HAD ON A PAIR OF SHORTS AND IN NO TIME AT ALL, AFTER HANDLING THE CEDAR SHINGLES AND SITTING ON THEM, I BROKE OUT IN A REALLY BAD RASH AND MY FATHER SAID IT WAS FROM THE CEDAR. SORRY -I DON;T KNOW ANY WEBSITES BUT YOU COULD TRY CISCOMORRIS.COM

Answer 5

I know that cedar bedding is very bad for the lungs of small animals. And I'm very allergic to it. I have trouble going through the bedding aisle of the pet supply store to pick up another kind of bedding.

Answer 6

I do know that cedar kills moths (thats why people put it on the walls of closets). I also know that people and animals can be allergic to cedar...
I know (personally) that cedars will kill junipers. ( I planted red cedars near my beautiful blue junipers and within 6 mnths they were dead...and there was NOTIHNG else wrong with them I had them checked.)

Answer 7

CEDAR APPLE RUST IS A FUNGAL DISEASE THAT INFECTS SUCH HOSTS AS CEDARS AND APPLE TREES. IT IS SPREAD BY WIND, RAINSPLASH AND INSECTS. IT CAN TRAVEL UP TO A MILE IN THE AIR. DURING WET SPRING WEATHER, WHEN SPORE TENDRILS ON THE CEDARS ARE FORMED, THESE SPORES GERMINATE AND PRODUCE WINDBLOWN SPORES THAT INFECT THE LEAVES OF SUSCEPTIBLE TREES IN THE APPLE FAMILY. DURING SUMMER AND EARLY FALL THE APPLE TREES ARE CAPABLE OF SPREADING THE DISEASE BACK TO THE CEDARS.

Answer 8

He is right. It's the nettles, they put too much acid in the soil.