#17
Accession Number: 0017-0000
Common Name: Red Cedar
Latin Name: Juniperus virginiana
Family: Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
Native Range: Eastern North America
Height: 30–65 feet
Spread: 8–25 feet
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
USDA Hardiness Zone: 2
Light Preference: Full sun
Water Needs: Dry to medium
Notes: Tolerates deer, drought, erosion, dry soil, shallow-rocky soil, air pollution
Description: Red Cedar, or Eastern Red Cedar, is a dense, conical to columnar evergreen conifer, typically growing 30-65’ tall. Mature trees feature thin strips of exfoliating bark with a shredded appearance. The wood is commonly used for cedar chests. Foliage may turn brownish in winter, though modern cultivars often retain better color. With separate male and female trees, only the female trees produce round, berry-like cones about 1/4” in diameter, which ripen in autumn and are attractive to many birds.
