Juniperus Virginiana

An evergreen conifer native to the eastern half of North America, the eastern red cedar is a bushy tree that provides ecological benefits year-round. It’s a cold-hardy tree that is adaptable to a variety of soil types, loves full sun, and can tolerate salt and pollution, making it an outstanding urban tree and a particularly powerful contribution to any type of landscape. 

What to Know About the Eastern Red Cedar

An Honorary Cedar

The eastern red cedar is actually not a cedar at all but rather a juniper tree, as is reflected in its scientific name, Juniperus virginiana. There is also a hint of this in its common name; while colloquially spelled with a space between red and cedar, the technical spelling is redcedar, as a compound name, demonstrating that it's not a true example of this type of tree (similar to the yellow-cedar, actually a cypress, and the white-cedar, a thuja in the same genus as the arborvitae). What makes these conifers similar to the true cedars of the genus Cedrus, which are native to the Mediterranean region, includes their evergreen nature, aromatic wood, and long-lived, hardy character.

Identifying an Eastern Red Cedar

One of the biggest differences between the eastern red cedar tree and the true cedars of the Mediterranean is their form. Eastern red cedars, like juniper trees, grow as big, bushy shrubs and don’t usually expose their trunk in the way that other trees do (unless they’re trimmed and trained). Their dense, evergreen foliage is made up of many small, scaly, flat leaflets that create a dense wall of green where they’re planted, resulting in red cedars being excellent trees for windbreaks in winter, shade in summer, and privacy screening throughout the year. 

In addition to their landscape functions, red cedars perform an essential ecosystem service as a habitat and food source for animals throughout the year. They provide cover for birds and small mammals of all kinds to nest, rest, and escape harsh winds, rain, and snow. The trees produce little purple-blue berries as well as tiny, scaly, berry-like cones, both of which are important sources of food for animals during winter and early spring.

While red cedars provide many kinds of seasonal benefits, they also have certain characteristics that allow them to thrive and produce those benefits in urban and neighborhood environments. These trees are able to grow in a range of soil types, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (they thrive in limestone ground like we have here in Nashville), from clay to loam to sandy. They can tolerate some moisture, some dryness, and even some salt. That is to say, they will grow in almost any ground! This flexible adaptability makes them a great choice for a yard, park, or streetside. 

These trees also love to be planted in full sun, so they can grow in open areas and in isolation without a problem. They are shade intolerant and lose foliage if planted too closely to a fence or another tree. Red cedar trees are particularly at risk for a fungal growth known as cedar apple rust disease, which grows as an orange to purple mold when juniper trees (such as the red cedar) are planted too close to apple trees. Although this fungus can usually be managed with fungicide when it appears, it’s best to keep these species at a distance from each other to avoid either minor or major damage to the trees.

Red cedars are also drought tolerant, efficient with energy productivity and moisture uptake. Their evergreen nature allows them to photosynthesize year-round, while their extensive, fibrous roots are good at absorbing and storing moisture (as well as stabilizing soil where they grow). The tree’s exfoliating bark is rather fibrous as well, displaying a reddish-gray color. The stringy, peeling bark and lacy foliage give this tree an elegant draping appearance that only adds visual interest to its robust, functional nature.

How Fast Does the Eastern Red Cedar Grow?

The eastern red cedar’s growth rate is an average of one or two feet per year until reaching its mature size of 40 to 50 feet. They grow in a pyramid form (wide at the bottom and narrow up top), so it’s important they have the space and sunlight they need to grow into big, healthy trees. However, due to their medium height and wide shape, they can be planted closer to buildings than many other trees to provide screening, shade, and insulation from cool-weather winds (keeping in mind the rule of thumb to plant trees at a distance of at least about equal to their mature height). Once established, these trees can live a century or longer when properly maintained.

Is the Eastern Red Cedar a Good Tree to Plant?

The eastern red cedar is a remarkable tree that needs more numbers in the landscape! Its robust nature and significant contribution to the local ecosystem as a native species with a highly functional and flexible disposition should be seriously considered when choosing new additions for almost any yard. Check out the red cedar’s listing as part of the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps’ annual tree sale, open October through February. 

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