bare rooting cedar - possible?

[akhater]

I have 2 cedars of Lebanon hoping to train, one is in the ground and one still in nursery pot.

Both are in, obviously, very compact soil. I've had them both for a couple of years (5 years in the ground and 2 years in the pot) and I didn't dare repot them since I know how sensitive they are on the root level.

Can these be bare rooted ? if yes do I just follow the same procedure as with deciduous trees?

If I should keep some of the original soil how would it work since the old and new soil have totally different watering needs?

thanks

 

[iant]

I've heard as well you have to be cautious with cedars but you shouldn't be afraid to repot. I have Cedar of Lebanon that I've had about a year. I didn't repot it right away as I got it in May or so last year and it was too late. Unfortunately I slipped it into a pot with a soil that held too much water and it didn't have much of any growth last year. They need fast draining substrates. I almost barerooted it with repot on Jan 1 this year and it's done great since. It's in a fast draining mix and it's in full sun and it's putting out plenty of new growth already. I wouldn't have been surprised if it had died as it didn't have a ton of roots and I wasn't shy in root work but it's done great.
Good luck!
(but I would suggest doing it in late winter/early spring)
Ian

 

[akhater]

Thank you Ian for the answer,

You used the "regular" technique with water hose for removing the old soil ? any special after care ? did you do some root pruning ?

I guess I will start with the one in pot this fall if it dies it is not a big deal

 

[iant]

I think I used a combination of root hook, my hands, and a little water spray to separate off the old soil. I haven't really done the hose deal much. I have a milder spray that I use to keep the roots moist while I work on them. I don't really use the water much as a forceful tool. Maybe I should? I did do some root pruning and got rid of anything too thick that was downgoing. I think I only ended up with a handful of roots so I was glad it took it so well. As for aftercare I put it in a warmer sunny spot (it was winter still) and didn't overwater it.
Ian