Eastern Red Cedar
Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana
Plant Family: Cupressaceae
Native Region: Eastern North America, from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and east of the Great Plains
Brief Description
A dense, slow-growing coniferous evergreen tree with reddish-brown, shreddy bark and scale-like or needle-like foliage. It often has a pyramidal or columnar shape when young, becoming more irregular with age.
Care Instructions
This is an exceptionally hardy and low-maintenance tree. It thrives in full sun and adapts to various soil types. Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and requires little to no supplemental fertilizer.
Medicinal Value
We do not currently provide medicinal value for plant identifications.
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day). It is shade-intolerant.
Watering
Low; drought-tolerant once established. New trees need weekly watering, but mature trees generally rely on natural rainfall.
Soil
Well-drained soil; very adaptable to alkaline, acidic, rocky, or clay soils. pH range 6.0 to 8.0.
Hardiness Zone
2 - 9
Growth Habit
Perennial evergreen tree; typically 30–65 feet tall with an 8–25 foot spread. Slow to moderate growth rate.
Bloom Season
Non-flowering (Gymnosperm). Cones appear in spring; male cones are small and yellow-brown, female cones develop into bluish-purple berry-like structures.
Toxicity
Low toxicity to humans if large amounts are ingested. Generally safe for pets, but the berries can cause mild digestive upset in dogs and cats.
Propagation
Primarily by seed (requires cold stratification) or by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or autumn.
Common Pests & Issues
Cedar-apple rust (a fungal disease that requires an Apple/Crabapple alternate host), bagworms, and spider mites in hot, dry conditions.
Similar Species
Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), which has more glaucous foliage, and Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), which has flattened, fan-like foliage.
Interesting Facts
Despite its name, it is actually a juniper, not a true cedar. The 'berries' are used to flavor gin, and the tree is a vital winter food source for many bird species, particularly the Cedar Waxwing.
Created At: 2026-04-24T22:42:12.311542