Juniperus virginia

Eastern Red Cedar

Family: Cupressaceae

Native region: Eastern US and Canada, Central US, naturalized in Oregon and North Dakota

Plant Community: NE Barrier Beach, Old Field

Size: 30-65′ tall, 8-25′ wide

Hardiness Zone: 2-9

Habitat: Found in forests, meadows and fields, woodlands, dry fields and hillsides, woodlands, and forest openings in sandy or rocky soils. Prefers moist to dry, well-drained soils in full sun, but is intolerant of constantly wet soils. It has the best drought resistance of any conifer native to the eastern U.S. Can also tolerate rocky, sandy, salty, acidic, overused, limestone, and dry soils.

Leaf: Dark blue and scale-like, year-round

Flowers: No flowers but blackish-green berry-like cones

Ecosystem services: A true generalist, this species does well to colonize areas where many other species can’t, like rocky ledges with poor soil conditions. In this way, it is a strong colonizer that can prevent against erosion by providing root framework in areas where that is difficult, including old fields. It is also the best native drought tolerant conifer, making it a good candidate for areas which drought or drought predicted. It is also tolerant to deer. Not tolerant to wet soil, so should not be planted in flood plains.