The price of a cedar tree is highly variable, determined by the tree’s biological characteristics and its physical size. The term “cedar tree” often includes true cedars from the genus Cedrus (like Deodar or Atlas Cedar), alongside species such as the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), which are technically junipers or arborvitae. Understanding the species and form is the first step in creating an accurate budget. The final cost incorporates the price of the tree stock, market variables like supplier and geography, and expenses for delivery and professional installation.
Common Cedar Species and Associated Costs
The genetic makeup of a cedar is a primary factor influencing its initial price, reflecting its growth rate, form, and overall demand. True cedars, like the Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) and Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), generally command higher prices due to their slower growth and stately appearance. A 15-gallon container of a Blue Atlas Cedar can range from $360 to over $500, reflecting the years of nursery care required. The Deodar Cedar is slightly more accessible, with a 15-gallon size often costing between $200 and $300.
Species commonly called cedars (junipers or arborvitae) are typically less expensive because they are faster growing and easier to propagate in bulk. The Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a hardy, native option frequently used for windbreaks, with a 3-gallon container often priced from $40 to $90. The Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is also cost-effective for screening projects. Their rapid growth reduces the time and resources invested by the nursery, which translates to a lower retail price.
Pricing Based on Tree Size and Form
The physical form in which a cedar is sold creates an exponential cost hierarchy, directly related to the labor involved in its production. The lowest-cost option is a bare-root seedling, a small, dormant plant sold without soil, often costing just a few dollars per unit. These are the most economical choice for large-scale projects like hedges, but they are only available for planting during the dormant season.
The mid-range price point is the container-grown tree, sold in a plastic pot and available for planting year-round. Container prices escalate sharply based on gallon size. A 1-gallon cedar might cost $30 to $60, while the same species in a 15-gallon container can be priced from $200 to $400. The most expensive option is the Balled-and-Burlapped (B&B) specimen. This is a large, mature tree dug with its root ball wrapped in burlap. A B&B tree may cost thousands of dollars, accounting for the heavy machinery, specialized labor, and years of field growth required to deliver an instant, mature landscape element.
Variables Influencing the Final Purchase Price
External market forces significantly modify the final purchase price beyond the tree’s biology and size. The type of supplier creates an immediate difference in cost. Retail garden centers and nurseries, which focus on individual sales, typically mark up their plant stock by 30 to 50% over the wholesale rate. Buying directly from a wholesale grower or farm, often reserved for large bulk orders, can yield considerable savings by eliminating the retail middleman.
Geographic location is another variable, as the cost of shipping large, heavy plant material is passed on to the buyer. A species native to a region, such as the Western Red Cedar in the Pacific Northwest, will naturally be cheaper in its home range due to lower shipping costs and local nursery production. Conversely, a tree grown in a region with high land and payroll costs, such as near a major metropolitan area, will have a higher baseline price to cover its increased overhead. Furthermore, the tree’s quality and grade influence price, with certified nursery stock and specific, slow-to-propagate cultivars commanding a premium over generic stock.
Accounting for Installation and Post-Purchase Costs
The total project cost extends beyond the tree’s initial purchase price, particularly for larger specimens. Delivery fees for Balled-and-Burlapped trees, which can weigh hundreds or thousands of pounds, often require specialized freight and can range from $100 to over $500 depending on distance. Professional installation is another labor expense often priced per tree size.
The average cost for a professional to plant a semi-mature tree ranges from $540 to $645, but this can climb to over \(2,000 for a large, 20-foot specimen requiring heavy equipment. For B&B trees, labor is sometimes calculated per caliper inch of the trunk, adding precision to the cost. Initial post-purchase supplies must also be factored in, including tree staking kits (\)10 to $20) and specialized soil amendments or fertilizers that aid in root establishment. These services and supplies can sometimes double the initial cost of the tree stock.