Which is cold hardier?...China Fir or Deodar Cedar

Does anyone know which is cold hardier?

Cunninghamia lanceolata 'Glauca' (China Fir)
or Cedrus deodara 'Aurea' (Golden Deodar Cedar)

Thanks

I know they are both zone 7, but was wondering if one is hardier than the other

Hi scottslandscape - did we recently speak at a Louisville nursery expo?

I think one can easily say Cunninghamia lanceolata is hardier than Cedrus deodara, based on the number of plants found growing to any mature age in the Ohio River valley region.

You can look around Louisville for a very long time, and find few or none of the Deodar Cedar that have any age - meaning, older than the last real cold snap of 1994.

Conversely, you can find quite a few China-fir with decades of age. Examples can be seen at Bernheim Arboretum, Cave Hill Cemetery, and similar landscapes.

I know where one relatively young Blue China-fir is growing rampantly over in the Deer Park neighborhood. Rather attractive it is, what with the house behind it echoing the color scheme.

It will be interesting to compare the relative performance of these two species after this present winter, with its more severe low temps and steady winds (compared to many previous). The truly tough plants will survive and recover, and the pretenders will spiral toward death.

Wow, that is a beautiful conifer for sure! I've never seen one of those but you're right it sure does look like it's growing rampantly.

Hello,

I assume I did speak with you at the Expo. I have 2 deodar I've been wrapping up during these cold days, and adding heat cables. They are not very established (just planted this past year), so hopefully they'll make it through this winter and maybe they'll be well established by the time we get another winter like this.

I'm looking to add the China Fir in the spring to my yard.

I'm a glutton for punishment zone wise

These are really the only items I push our zone with, except for a Monkey Puzzle I keep indoors in the winter.

Thanks for your input, I assume the China Fir is hardier too, but just wanted to hear it from some others too.

Thanks
Scott

As long as you recognize your vices, you can govern them.

I believe you can chronologically date the damaging winters to Cunninghamia lanceolata in KY - at least since the 1970s.

The winters of 1976-77 and '77-78 were pretty brutal. I think the extended cold and depth of frost in the ground (which changed plumbing codes statewide) were fatal to many pretender species. It at least killed China-fir to the snowline. I know of a very old plant in Versailles that became a multi-stem resprout after those winters, which killed many Southern Magnolias outright and basically eliminated Burford Holly from KY landscapes.

December 1989 brought -19ºF, and treated China-fir pretty rudely.

January 1994 was a beast over much of central KY, reaching -20sF in Lexington and Louisville and setting the all-time record low for the state in Shelby County with a blistering -37ºF. I'm pretty sure you won't find any 20 year old zone 7 plants there.

I say go for it - with your eyes wide open. Just don't step on those cables when it's wet....

Man..VV...I'd love to have the depth of knowledge you've accumulated over the years.

I appreciate the comment and sentiments - but I'm only one among many who have chosen this path with a passion.

Everyone here brings their own experience in their own personal endeavors, of which plants and gardening is but one. Don't know you from Adam (or Eve), but I bet I'd learn a thing or two walking around your garden - or over an adult beverage - and I don't necessarily mean just about plants. I wish I had someone here directing my next investment in technological advancement past my Acer laptop.

I'm just happy to add to the value and experience of participating at DG - and offering the occasional harangue...

Well we're glad you're here and the next time you swing past my area, you'll have to take a tour, that is unless it's not the growing season...then you'd just see a lot of nothing ;P

There is never nothing...

I ought to make that my subscript! I exult in the opportunity to see the bones of a garden, and share those experiences with those who have not yet seen.

Why else would a northern gardener ever plant a Hamamelis, or Ilex verticillata, or - shut your mouth - a Viburnum ×bodnantense 'Dawn'?

You are about an hour and a half from my brother's place north of Philly. You are a days drive from here - when I have to drive to the Mid-At region for trustee's meetings twice a year (late April in Washington, and early June in NJ).

I may just be able to take you up on that tour. Are you a consumer of wine, or chocolate? Or - shudder - both?

Haha...I gave up alcohol a few years ago but chocolate is nice :) My wife is a consumer of wine, usually a nice red..

The Viburnum ×bodnantense 'Dawn' was a consideration of mine for a hedge line but I was concerned about frost damage to the flowers so I've decided on Aronia Arbutifolia. Definitely a nice Viburnum though!

Thanks again for your input. Are you John from UK? ...Just curious

Can't wait for the great thaw, I'm feeling inspired for the new season!

Scott

That would be me...sorry to hijack your thread.

Should aim to cross paths in the field sometime - like me trying to jab wire flags through 6" of frost at Cherokee Park this afternoon.

Just saw your message. Hope you got the wire flags in. I'm pretty slow right now with landscaping so if you have any interesting tree stuff going on give me a shout. Would love to catch up in the field somewhere and talk trees.

Scott

The pace is brisk!

Lots going on tree-wise in Louisville these days, and networking helps raise all the boats. Let's converse off-thread (through Dmail) and make some arrangements.