The term 'cedar' is applied to all manner of trees that are NOT cedars - junipers (eastern red cedar), arborvitae, Thuja (western red cedar) - as well as true cedars, Cedrus spp., and the products they shed as a natural mulch are also not the same. What exactly are we talking about? Where are you located?

In general, the litter or mulch produced by any conifer can be useful in the garden. Personally, I'd be inclined to leave in place - it is benefiting the trees more than it would benefit anything else :-) But if you must remove, you can reuse as a mulch elsewhere or add to your compost.

btw, litter from conifers will not alter soil pH if applied as a mulch or even mixed into the soil. That's an old gardener's tale that is a persistent but inaccurate myth.

gardengal, thanks for dispeling that myth. I've always wondered about this. We have mostly alkaline soil in Oklahoma where I live, so this is rare. These cedars were originally privacy bushes. lol

outside of some trash spots (literally), I'm going to try to leave it be. The rest I will add to the compost pile for non-edibles. It really is beautiful and natural beneath these trees.

Normally, I would cut the trees down as they are a fire hazard, but my husband loves them.