Juniperus virginiana

redcedarfull
(Photo by Logan Petrey)

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Taxonomy (1)

Classification: Gymnosperm
Family: Cupressaceae
Common name: Red Cedar

General Information (1)

Region of Origin: Eastern North America and southeastern Canada
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Growth Habit: Tree

  • Size: 40-60 feet tall
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
  • Cones: September-October
  • Other: Dioecious

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (2)

  • Arrangement: Opposite
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Needle (young); Scale (mature)

redcedarleaf
(Photo by Logan Petrey)

Stem/Bark (2)

  • Color: Grayish to reddish
  • Texture: Fibrous

redcedarbark
(Photo by Logan Petrey)

Female cone (2)

  • Shape: Berry-like
  • Color: Blue
  • Texture: Leathery

Male cone (2)

  • Texture: Papery
  • Color: Yellow-brown

redcedarpollencone
(Photo by Logan Petrey)

Horticultural Information (1)

  • Light: Full sun to shade
  • pH: Basic
  • Maintenance: Easy to care for
  • Landscape Uses: Shade tree
  • Other: Avoid dry and acidic regions, and do not plant near apple orchards as it is a host for Cedar-Apple rust.

Interesting Facts (1)

  • Red cedar wood is used to make fences posts and pencils.
  • The oil from the seed cones of Juniper trees are used to flavor gin.
  • Native Americans used the wood of red cedar for bows.

References

  1. Christman, S. (2012). Juniperus virginiana. Retrieved from http://www.floridata.com/ref/J/Juniperus_virginiana.cfm
  2. United States Department of Agriculture (n.d.). Eastern Red Cedar. Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_juvi.pdf
Prepared by Logan Petrey as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek