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The Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a hardy, evergreen conifer known for its dense, aromatic foliage and rugged adaptability. Despite its name, it is not a true cedar but a species of juniper. This versatile tree is native to North America, thriving in diverse habitats from rocky outcrops to moist bottomlands. Highly valued for its ornamental beauty, timber, and ecological benefits, it is a staple in both urban and rural landscapes.
Juniperus belongs to the Cupressaceae family, which includes popular evergreen trees such as Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar), Thuja occidentalis (Northern White Cedar), Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress), Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood), and Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress).
Eastern Red Cedar is native to the eastern and central United States, from Canada to Florida, and west to Texas and the Great Plains. It is commonly found in abandoned fields, along roadsides, and in limestone-rich soils.
This is an evergreen conifer with a dense, pyramidal, or columnar habit. It often forms a single trunk with ascending branches, creating a compact silhouette and forming a splendid exclamation point in the landscape.
At maturity, Eastern Red Cedar typically reaches 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m) in height with a spread of 8 to 20 feet (2-6 m). In ideal conditions, some specimens can exceed 60 feet (18 m). It has a moderate growth rate, adding 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) per year in optimum conditions.
This long-lived tree can survive for over 300 years, with some specimens exceeding 500 years.
Flowers: This is a dioecious species, meaning male and female trees are separate. Males produce yellowish pollen cones, while females bear small greenish flowers. An abundance of tiny brown cones shed pollen in late winter or early spring. Female trees produce dark purple-blue berry-like cones covered with white wax, which gives them an overall sky-blue color.
Fruits: Female trees produce small, blue, berry-like cones, covered in a waxy bloom. These “juniper berries” mature in the fall and are a crucial food source for wildlife.
The foliage consists of aromatic, overlapping, scale-like leaves that range from blue-green to dark green in summer, often turning bronze in winter. Young shoots may have needle-like foliage.
The trunk is short, often buttressed and fluted at the base. The bark is reddish-brown and fibrous and peels off in narrow strips on mature trees. The pinkish to reddish heartwood is aromatic, very light, durable, and avoided by moths, making it a favorite for cedar closets and cedar chests.
Eastern Red Cedar is hardy in USDA Zones 2 to 9, tolerating extreme temperatures from frigid winters to hot summers. One of the most adaptable conifers, it thrives where others struggle, enduring heat, drought, and cold. It is especially valuable for dry, sunny sites, where it makes an excellent specimen plant. Additionally, it withstands strong, salty winds and salt spray, making it well-suited for coastal environments.
Eastern Red Cedar is a vital wildlife plant, providing both food and shelter for numerous species. The bluish-black, berry-like cones are a key winter food source for cedar waxwings, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, wild turkeys, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and coyotes. The tree’s twigs and foliage are also browsed by deer and other hoofed mammals. Discover small trees and shrubs that attract birds.
Beyond their food value, Eastern Red Cedars offer essential nesting and protective cover. Chipping sparrows, robins, song sparrows, and mockingbirds frequently nest in their branches. Juncos, myrtle warblers, and various sparrows use the dense foliage for roosting. In winter, their thick evergreen canopy provides critical refuge from harsh weather and predators.
This tree is highly resistant to deer browsing, making it a reliable choice in areas with heavy deer populations.
The berries, leaves, and flowers of Eastern Red Cedar contain volatile oils, including thujone, which can be mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities. Consumption may cause digestive discomfort, including diarrhea, in humans and livestock. However, toxicity is generally low. The plant does not cause contact dermatitis, making it safe to handle.
Eastern Red Cedar is highly invasive in prairie and grassland ecosystems, particularly in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and parts of Argentina. Historically, frequent wildfires kept its expansion in check, restricting its growth to lowlands and rugged topographies. However, with fire suppression and intentional planting, its range has rapidly expanded, significantly altering native grassland ecosystems. Its encroachment reduces biodiversity, alters hydrological cycles, and contributes to a biome-level shift from grasslands to woodlands. Initially, establishment occurs slowly, but once J. virginiana is rooted, it spreads aggressively, replacing native prairie vegetation and creating dense cedar woodlands. Controlled burns and active management are crucial to curbing its spread and preserving grassland ecosystems.
Find where Easter Red Cedar is invasive in the U.S.
Thrives in full sun and requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Tolerates a wide range of soils, including sandy, loamy, and rocky soils. Prefers well-drained conditions and can survive in both acidic and alkaline soils.
Highly drought-tolerant once established. Young trees require deep watering during dry periods.
Minimal fertilization is needed. A slow-release, balanced fertilizer in spring can promote growth.
Requires little pruning but can be shaped to maintain a desired form. Remove dead or diseased branches as needed.
Eastern Red Cedar has a moderate growth rate, typically growing 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) per year.
Mature Eastern Red Cedars typically reach heights of 30-50 feet (9-15 m), with some growing up to 70 feet (21 m).
Eastern Red Cedar requires full sun to partial sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Yes, Eastern Red Cedar has high drought tolerance once established.
With proper care, Eastern Red Cedars can live for over a century.
Yes, it provides shelter for various wildlife, and its berries are a valuable food source for many bird species.
Yes, its dense foliage and conical shape make it excellent for windbreaks.
While relatively pest-free, it can be susceptible to bagworms.
Regular watering is important until the tree is established, but avoid wetting the foliage to prevent mold and fungal issues.
Yes, it can be pruned to maintain a manageable height. Light pruning is best, as excessive trimming may damage its natural form.
Hardiness |
2 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Trees |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Red Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 40' - 50' (12.2m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 8' - 20' (240cm - 6.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Southeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Northeast, Midwest, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, North Dakota, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies, Birds |
Garden Uses | Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
2 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Trees |
Plant Family | Cupressaceae |
Genus | Juniperus |
Common names | Red Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, Juniper |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 40' - 50' (12.2m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 8' - 20' (240cm - 6.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Southeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Northeast, Midwest, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, North Dakota, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Oregon, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies, Birds |
Garden Uses | Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
How many Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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