Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) Unity Grown

Juniperus virginiana, commonly referred to as eastern red cedar (occasionally spelled redcedar), is an evergreen, aromatic tree native to large swathes of the United States. Typically pyramidal in structure, though not necessarily pyramidal at maturity, eastern redcedar usually grows to about 30-40' tall with a width of 10-20', though individual trees may reach heights of up to 90'. Eastern redcedar produces fragrant, scale-like foliage in shades of blue-gray and bright green; as a dioecious plant, male redcedars will produce pollen cones through the spring and summer, while female plants produce berry-like structures in the late summer and fall.

Tolerant of a wide variety of soil types and moisture levels, Juniperus virginiana is highly resistant to drought, though it doesn't tolerate poorly drained soils very well. Trees should not be planted alongside apple, hawthorn, or quince trees, as eastern redcedar may develop unsightly cedar apple rust galls that negatively affect both trees.