Eastern Redcedar

Eastern Redcedar     (Juniper)     Juniperus virginiana L.

Mature Size: 40 to 60 feet in height, 1 to 2 feet in diameter

Form: Dense, compact, column-like crown with short, slender branches.  

Where to find them: Found on a wide variety of soils, from acidic wetland edges to dry, rocky ridges; thrives on barren soils where few other trees are found

Needles: Mature needles are 1/16 inch long, shiny, dark green, scale-like, fragrant, and pressed close to form 4-sided twigs; young needles are up to 3⁄8 inch long, pointed and prickly

Cone: Produced only on female trees; round, 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 inch across, fleshy, and berrylike; green turning blue when ripe, with a grayish-white, waxy covering.

Wildlife use:   The small berry-like fruits  are also a preferred food of many birds, especially the cedar waxwing that takes its name from its favorite tree.  Other users include evening grosbeak,  bobwhite quail, tree swallow, mockingbird, and purple finch. Redcedar’s dense foliage provides excellent roosting and nesting cover for birds. Deer use its foliage as an emergency winter food source.

Bark:  Light reddish-brown, thin, peeling and fibrous.