Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a rugged, native evergreen tree known for its dense foliage, adaptability, and multi-season appeal. Found throughout much of eastern and central North America, this species thrives in challenging conditions and offers strong vertical structure, wildlife value, and year-round greenery to a wide range of landscape settings.

Distinctive Features

Eastern Red Cedar typically grows 30 to 40 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide, forming a naturally pyramidal shape in youth that becomes more irregular with age. Its foliage ranges from deep green to blue-green and may take on a purplish hue in winter. Female trees produce small, silvery-blue berry-like cones that persist through winter and attract birds and other wildlife. The bark is reddish-brown and peels in thin strips, adding visual texture and interest.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Extremely adaptable; tolerates dry, rocky, clay, or sandy soils
• Water: Low; drought tolerant once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2�9

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Strong vertical presence and rugged form make it a bold feature tree in open spaces
• Windbreaks: Durable structure provides reliable shelter in rural and exposed areas
• Wildlife Habitat: Offers food and cover for birds and mammals year-round
• Privacy Screening: Can be planted in rows for natural evergreen barriers
• Reclamation and Restoration: Excellent for soil stabilization and reforestation projects

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during establishment; rarely needs supplemental water afterward
• Pruning: Minimal; prune only to shape or remove lower limbs if necessary
• Fertilizing: Not usually required; tolerates low-fertility soils
• Mulching: Helps retain moisture and control weeds during establishment
• Pest Resistance: Deer resistant and tolerant of urban pollution

Why Choose Eastern Red Cedar?

• Native Durability: Thrives in difficult conditions with minimal care
• Wildlife Support: Provides critical habitat and year-round food sources
• Evergreen Structure: Offers consistent vertical presence and color through all seasons
• Versatility: Serves well as a specimen, screen, or environmental solution
• Focal Point: Its upright form and rugged texture create a commanding presence in both naturalized and designed landscapes

Juniperus virginiana is a dependable, all-purpose evergreen with strong ecological benefits and design versatility, ideal for tough sites, habitat gardens, and landscapes where resilience and year-round impact are essential.