Blue Atlas Cedar Tree

‘Glauca’ is the blue-needled form of Atlas cedar (*Cedrus atlantica*), with powder-blue needles and a conical crown when young. Its lower branches become more horizontal as the tree matures, creating a broad pyramid. ## Landscape use This large evergreen makes a striking specimen where its blue foliage and mature crown have room to develop. The American Conifer Society reports a 10-year size of about 10–12 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide, with annual growth of 12–24 inches. The broader Atlas cedar species commonly grows much larger. See the exact [American Conifer Society ‘Glauca’ profile](https://conifersociety.org/conifers/cedrus-atlantica-glauca) and [UConn Plant Database](https://plantdatabase.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=95) for cultivar and species details. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun for best blue color. ‘Glauca’ tolerates heat and drought once established, but new trees need regular water while roots develop. Provide well-drained soil and avoid places where water stands. Utah State University lists Atlas cedar for USDA zones 6–9 and recommends warm sites with deep, well-drained soil. [Utah State University TreeBrowser](https://extension.usu.edu/treebrowser/catalog/cedar-atlas) includes ‘Glauca’ among its cultivars. ## Maintenance Let the tree develop its natural broad pyramidal form. Prune only to remove damaged or poorly placed branches, and choose a permanent site because cedars can be difficult to transplant.