Q.Hello, I Was Given A Potted 4 Ft Tall Cedar Tree. It Was Very Green When I Got It About 3 Weeks Ago. It’s Outside. Water It Reg
ularly and gave it a bit of Miracle Grow. Not looking so good now. Thoughts? It is developing a few brown tips and not as full looking.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
My two thoughts are overwatering and/or possibly freeze damage. Because your plant is in a container, its roots are more vulnerable to cold weather. You can wrap burlap around the container to help with this. Then in spring, you can plant it in the ground if you desire. Let the soil dry out between waterings, and you don't need to fertilize it.
Here's an article that should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/cedar/winter-damage-to-cedars.htm
Here's a more general article about how to care for cedars:https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/cedar/growing-cedar-trees.htm