Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana, is a tough, adaptable native evergreen tree valued for its dense foliage, strong vertical presence, and reliability in a wide range of conditions. Seed grown plants vary somewhat in shape, but most form a narrow pyramidal to columnar outline with rich green foliage that can take on bronzy tones in winter. Small berry like cones on female trees are an important winter food source for birds, and the naturally durable wood and evergreen character make Eastern Red Cedar a classic choice for shelterbelts, windbreaks, and long term structure in the landscape. Distinctive Features Eastern Red Cedar typically matures 30 to 40 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, though size can vary with soil, climate, and seed source. Foliage begins as soft, needle like growth on young plants and transitions to tighter, scale like sprays as trees mature, giving a dense, textured look that holds year round. Color ranges from medium to deep green in the growing season, often with a hint of blue gray, then shifts to bronzy or copper tones in cold weather. The small bluish cones on female trees are surrounded by a waxy coating and are highly attractive to birds, which adds wildlife value as well as visual interest in winter. Growing Conditions...