Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana L.

Also known as Juniper.

Mature Size: 40 to 60 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet in diameter.

Form: Dense, compact, column-like crown with short, slender branches.

Habitat: Found on a wide variety of soils, from acidic wetland edges to dry, rocky ridges; thrives on barren soils where few other trees are found.

Needles

Fragrant; mature needles 1/16 inch long, shiny, dark green and scale-like, pressed close to form 4-sided twigs; young needles up to 3/8 inch long, pointed and prickly.

Flowers

Males and females on separate trees; males small, yellow-brown, in large clusters; females light blue-green.

Cones

On female trees only, round, fleshy and berrylike, ¼ to 1/3 inch across; green turning blue when ripe, with a grayish-white, waxy covering.

Bark

Light reddish-brown, thin, peeling and fibrous.

Twigs

Scaly, green for several years, later turning brown.

Values and Uses

Redcedar wood is fragrant, soft, strong and evenly textured. The red heartwood and white sapwood create striking effects when the wood is finished. The heartwood is very resistant to decay and can be used for fence posts, poles, cabinets and rustic furniture. Because its natural oils repel insects, it is also used for chests, closet linings and pet bedding. It was once used for pencils, although incense-cedar, a western species, is now used instead. The "berries" give gin its characteristic flavor. They are also a favorite food of many birds, from waxwings to bobwhite quail. Redcedar's dense foliage provides excellent roosting and nesting cover for birds. Deer use its foliage as an emergency winter food source. Redcedar is good for protecting soils from erosion. It is also planted for Christmas trees.

Did You Know?

Redcedar can cause problems when planted near apple orchards. The tree is the alternate host for cedar-apple rust, a fungus which causes spots on apple leaves and fruit.

Last modified: Monday, 10-Mar-2008 16:19:33 EDT