Eastern red cedar

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a type of evergreen conifer native to the Eastern United States. In the forest, the tree can reach 40-60 feet tall with a compact, conical crown. Though actually a juniper and not a true cedar, the common name predominates.

The leaves of the red cedar begin as spiny, pale green needles on young trees, maturing by twisting together into darker-green scaly twigs. The bark is thin, reddish brown and peels away in narrow vertical strips. The purple-blue berry-like seed cones, appearing on female specimens in fall, are coated with a white waxy cover giving them a pale blue appearance. The cones are eaten by birds (particularly the Cedar waxwing), which then spread the seeds. Yellow pollen cones, tightly bunched, appear in late winter or early spring on male specimens.

The aromatic heartwood of the Eastern red cedar is valued for closet linings, wardrobes and chests due to its ability to repel moths. The wood is also very resistant to decay and has been used for fence posts, porch timbers and roofing shingles and shakes. Because it is slow growing, large specimens suitable for timber are now uncommon. The tree is sometimes raised commercially as a Christmas tree and is used ornamentally as a visual screen or windbreak.

The Eastern red cedar is most common in dry upland and particularly in calcareous soils, though it is common throughout every state east of the Great Plains. It is an early invader of cleared land, but more susceptible than other native species to deep shade and fires. The tree is also susceptible to cedar-apple rust, a fungal disease injurious to commercial apple trees.

References

• Kirkman, L. Katherine, Claude L. Brown & Donald J. Leopold (2007) Native Trees of the Southeast. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press ISBN 9780881928280
• Juniperus virginiana (May 13, 2010) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed May 18, 2010