Common Name: Eastern Red Cedar

Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana

Family: Cupressaceae

Type: Coniferous, Needled Evergreen

Habitat: Variety of habitats

Native: Yes

Height: Up to 60 feet

Light: Full sun

Soil: Average, Well drained

Description: The Eastern Red Cedar is a native coniferous evergreen tree which can be identified by its thin, scaly needles and its red-brown exfoliating bark. The Eastern Red Cedar is a dioecious species, which means that it has separate male and female trees. While the male trees produce small, golden-brown cones in late winter and spring, the female trees produce small, frosty blue cones that look like berries. The Eastern Red Cedar is a very adaptable tree that can thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, swamps, and dry, rocky ledges. The Eastern Red Cedar is also heat tolerant, cold tolerant, and drought tolerant! This photo of an Eastern Red Cedar was taken in the Native Grass Meadow at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.