Southern Coastal Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola

Coastal red cedar is a needled evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family native to the southeastern coastal plains of the U.S.A.  This common tree is found growing in sand dunes and marshes yet, it does not like an overabundance of water.

This small round red cedar has plump cones (3-4 mm long) with scale-like leaves forming on the slender extremity of the sprig on the slow-growing shoots.   

The bark is an attractive cinnamon red color, providing winter interest in the landscape and it can be planted as a hedge, or an evergreen barrier.

This plant may be confused with: Juniperus virginiana The fleshy cones on Southern coastal redcedar are smaller than those of Eastern Redcedar (3-4 mm long vs. 4-7 mm long).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Junipers are susceptible to a variety of insect pests like aphids, bagworms, caterpillars, spider mites, juniper scales, juniper tip dwarf mites, juniper webworms, and spruce spider mites..

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Juniperus virginiana.