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Juniperus virginiana is often confused with:
Juniperus scopulorum Form
Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Ilex opaca Ilex opaca
Myrica cerifera Myrica cerifera
Quercus alba Full Form
Juniperus virginiana has some common insect problems:
Juniper Pest Management Calendar
Pests of Conifers
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes
Juniperus virginiana has some common disease problems:
Cedar Apple Rust

Juniperus virginiana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us ver-jin-ee-AY-nah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Eastern redcedar is an evergreen tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). This conifer is native to North America and grows from Maine south to Florida and west to South Dakota and Texas.  

This juniper is easily grown in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils in full sun. In good conditions, it will grow to 30 to 40 feet in height and reach a width of 10 to 20 feet. It will tolerate a variety of soils and growing conditions, from swamps to dry, rocky ground. It can even grow on seemingly barren soils that few other plants can tolerate, although it may never grow bigger than a bush in those conditions. It prefers moist conditions but is intolerant of continuously wet soil. It only tolerates shade when it is extremely young. It has the best drought resistance of any conifer native to the eastern United States. This tree is easy to transplant and a tough, dependable tree—but considered weedy by many gardeners. It is highly salt tolerant. This colorful tree needs airy space to grow. Plant 12 to 24 feet apart. 

Eastern red cedar has blue-green, overlapping, scale-like leaves at maturity, but young shoots may have spreading, needle-like leaves. The bark is red-brown in color and peels off in long, narrow, fibrous strips, often leaving ashy gray areas exposed. Light blue-green clusters of cones mature in late winter or early spring. Female (or predominantly female) trees produce small, round blue cones ("juniper berries") that mature in the fall and are beloved by cedar waxwings. Male trees make small pollen-producing cones. Pollen is wind-borne and released in large quantities.

The heartwood is light brown and aromatic, in contrast to the white sapwood, and is commonly used for cedar chests. The wood is also often used to make fence posts and rails, as it is naturally rot-resistant. It also repels insects, lending to its appeal for use in clothing storage and pet bedding.

Eastern red cedar makes an excellent specimen and does well in a grouping or as a screen or windbreak. It provides cover, habitat, and food for wildlife. This tree is also resistant to damage by deer. It is sometimes grown for Christmas trees, especially in warmer areas of North Carolina.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Plant has grayish to reddish-brown bark that exfoliates in long strips
  • Scale leaves are in a four-rank arrangement
  • Small, oval, glandular depressions are on the backs of leaves
  • Male cones are yellow and occur at branch tips
  • Female cones are blue, frosted looking, and 1/4 inch in size
  • Leaf color is sage green to blue-green in the summer
  • Leaf color is bronze to yellow-brown in winter
  • Juvenile, awl-shaped leaves are often present in pairs

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree is susceptible to twig blight and scale. Bagworms are also a problem. Mites may occur. It shares with apple trees the 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 Homegrown featuring Jeff Owen, Area Extension Forestry Specialist for NC State Extension

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Native Woodland Garden, Durham Mountain Ridge Top Garden - West Lawn and Border Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Canaertii', 'Glauca Compacta', 'Globosa', 'Grey Owl', 'Manhattan Blue', 'Silver Spreader', 'Taylor', var. silicicola
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#native tree#moth caterpillar host#conifer#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#tough plant#cover plant#winter interest#tsc#showy fruits#small mammals#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire high flammability#NC native#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#screening#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#fantz#poor soils tolerant#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Coastal FACU#cover plant winter#Christmas trees#Christmas decorations#tsc-cg#Audubon#juniper hairstreak butterfly#imperial moth#coastal plant#weed#food source winter#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Canaertii', 'Glauca Compacta', 'Globosa', 'Grey Owl', 'Manhattan Blue', 'Silver Spreader', 'Taylor', var. silicicola
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#native tree#moth caterpillar host#conifer#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#tough plant#cover plant#winter interest#tsc#showy fruits#small mammals#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire high flammability#NC native#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#screening#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#fantz#poor soils tolerant#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Coastal FACU#cover plant winter#Christmas trees#Christmas decorations#tsc-cg#Audubon#juniper hairstreak butterfly#imperial moth#coastal plant#weed#food source winter#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    virginiana
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The heartwood is light brown and aromatic and is commonly used for cedar chests. Wood is often used to make fence posts and rails as it is naturally rot resistant. This plant was also used by Native Americans to make flutes, furniture, fragrance, mats, incense, and spices. They also used it medicinally.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South East Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A., Mexico
    Distribution:
    from eastern Canada south through North Dakota west to Colorado south to Texas east to Florida north through Maine, also found in Oregon
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Provides winter cover. This plant supports Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) and imperial moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae. Adult Juniper Hairstreak butterflies feed on various flower nectars. Songbirds and small mammals eat the fruits.
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Nesting
    Wind Break
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This tree is resistant to damage by deer.
    Edibility:
    Juniper tea can be made by placing a dozen young berryless twigs in a quart of cold water; bring to a boil then allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and use as regular tea, in small quantities. SOURCE: Angier, B. 1974. Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa, 255 pp.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Male cones are yellow and occur at branch tips. Female cones are blue, frosted-looking, and abundant. Cones are round, berry-like (1/4" in diameter), and ripen in fall of the first year. They have a white waxy covering. Displays from September to February.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    This is a dioecious species (separate male and female trees). The pollen cones are small and yellowish on male trees, while the female trees produce round, berry-like cones. It blooms from January to March.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Subulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The Eastern red cedar has dark blue-green, scale-like, shiny, glandular foliage in a 4 rank arrangement. The foliage may turn brown-green in winter. They are 1/16" in length and lay opposite or in whorls of 3. They are small, oval, and have a glandular depression on the back. Young leaves are awl-shaped, thin, prickly, needle-like, and 1/4" long. Cultivars of this species often retain better foliage color in winter.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Peeling
    Shredding
    Bark Description:
    Its gray to reddish-brown bark exfoliates in thin, long shreddy strips on mature trees.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    Yes
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Salt
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Large amounts may cause diarrhea.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Volatile oils including thujone.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves