Juniperus virginiana
Eastern Red Cedar
General
Juniperus virginiana is a pioneer tree species frequently found in old fields, highway meridians and abandoned sites. Prefers drier sunny sites. It is a hardy tree that will survive both extreme temperatures and drought. It is appealing year round, and provides food and nesting cover for a variety of birds, and is a favorite of the Cedar Waxwing.
Plant Description
Eastern Red Cedar is an evergreen tree with a peeling red bark. When young, the tree will be narrower, and a lighter green; the tree will become darker and begin to fan out as it grows. Eastern red cedar has a red wood that is aromatic and easy to work with, and blue berrylike fruits in the fall.
Height (ft)
20-40
Spread (ft)
10-20
Soil moisture
Dry/Low Moisture
Soil types
Fine to Coarse
Wetland indicator
UPL
Shade tolerance
Intolerant, Full Shade
Bloom color
Green
Bloom period
Spring
Fall conspicuous
No
Anaerobic tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
High
Salinity tolerance
Low
Self-Pollinating?
No
Range
Eastern Red Cedar is native to most of the central and eastern United States, and is common in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts state, in the Connecticut Valley in Vermont, and in southern New Hampshire and Maine.
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, an infusion has been made to treat colds, the wood used to make fence posts and furniture and a compound decoction of the twigs to treat rheumatism. The berries have been crushed and used to flavor soup and meat.