Eastern Red Cedar

 Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Eastern Red Cedar (actually a Juniper) is the most widely distributed evergreen conifer in the Eastern US. Growing thickets along roadsides, disturbed sites, edges of woods, and plains. They are even know to grow like weeds in the Southern and Eastern US. They make perfect privacy screens, very cold hardy, grow in poor soils. Very drought tolerant and grows in full sun. Eastern Red Cedar is also cultivated in landscaping with many cultivars on the market. My top favorites are 'Canaertii' and 'Taylor'. 'Canaertii' has branches that grow outwards in various directions adding a unique more wild look to the landscape. 'Taylor' is extraordinarily columnar. It will grow up to 30' tall but only stay 2'-3' wide at maturity. I call it the "Italian Cypress of the North". In parts of the Southeastern US they commonly grow on cliffs and on limestone.

'Canaertii'

'Taylor'

Wild Eastern Red Cedar growing on Limestone

Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-9

Mature Size: Ranging is size from 25'-60' tall by 10'-25' wide 

(Poor soils and conditions naturally leads to smaller trees, but doesn't always worsen  health, and will still thrive)

Light: Full Sun

Water: Dry

Performs best in well draining soils.

Soils: Not particular with specific pH level. Not particular with soil type, but grows best in slightly acidic well draining soils. Thrives in clay soils, as long as adequate drainage is provided. 

Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen

Native Range