Southern Redcedar Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola

Southern redcedar is a needled evergreen tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae) and is native to the southeastern coastal plains of the United States. The varietal name, silicicola, means occurring on silica sands.

This common tree is found growing in sand dunes and marshes in the South, but it does not like an overabundance of water. It is drought- and salt-tolerant and grows well in a wide variety of soils. It also does well in urban settings and requires little care. It can reach 30 to 40 feet in height and 25 feet in width. Plant in full sun 12 to 24 feet apart.

Southern redcedar has drooping branch tips and green leaves with a fine texture. The bark is an attractive cinnamon red color, providing winter interest in the landscape. Only female (or predominantly female) trees bear cones and then only if pollinated by wind-borne pollen from a male tree. This juniper has plump cones about an eighth of an inch long and scale-like leaves that form on the slender ends of the slow-growing shoots. 

This tree grows well in coastal areas. It can be used as a windscreen, barrier, or hedge. Consider it also for a native or winter garden.

This plant may be confused with Juniperus virginiana. The fleshy cones on the southern redcedar are smaller than those of the eastern redcedar (which can be up to a quarter of an inch 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. It shares with apple trees susceptibility to a rust fungus called Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae. This fungus causes "cedar apples" on red cedar twigs and dark leaf spots on apple leaves.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests.

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.