| Common Name Biological Name Type Family Native Range Zone Height Spread Bloom Time Bloom Description Sun Water Maintenance Leaf Other Tolerate |
red cedar Juniperus virginiana Needled evergreen Cupressaceae Eastern North America 2 to 9 30.00 to 65.00 feet 8.00 to 25.00 feet Non-flowering Non-flowering Full sun Dry to medium Low Evergreen Winter Interest Deer, Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution |
Easily grown in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils and growing conditions, from swamps to dry rocky glades. Prefers moist soils, but has the best drought resistance of any conifer native to the eastern U. S. Eastern red cedar is native to Missouri where it typically occurs on limestone bluffs and glades, wood margins, fields, pastures and fence rows throughout the state except for the southeastern lowlands (Steyermark). It is a broadly conical, sometimes columnar, dense, evergreen conifer with horizontal branching that typically grows to 30-65’ tall. Gray to reddish-brown bark exfoliates in thin shreddy strips on mature trees. Trunks are often fluted at the base. Heartwood is light brown and aromatic, and is commonly used for cedar chests. Dark blue green scale-like foliage. Foliage may turn brown-green in winter. Cultivars of this species often retain better foliage color in winter. This is a dioecious species (separate male and female trees). Female trees produce round, gray to blackish-green berry-like cones (1/4” diameter) that ripen in fall the first year. Berry-like cones are attractive to many birds. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Cedar apple rust is common in many areas. Susceptible to twig blight. Watch for bagworms. Garden Uses Landscape specimen. Large screens. |
| Information on this page is from Missouri Botanical Gardens, Dave’s Garden, All things Plants, Texas Superstar or Aggie Horticulture |
This page last updated or reviewed [210802]