PlantFiles: Red Cedar Juniper, Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana

Purchased as a 4 to 5 foot tall plant in the Spring of 2005. Had a few berries the first fall/winter. It has started to grow very well now showing over a foot of new growth in early May of 2007. Even have a pair of Mockingbirds building a nest in it this year. So far so good!

I've found Junipers growing in my woods. I have a hard time finding or even growing evergreens in alkaline soil and in shade but Juniperus virginiana does fine and even manages to produce some berries.

When grown in shade, they stay smaller and more urn shaped like young trees.

I only notice the fragrance when the foliage is crushed.

My variety is called Southern Red Cedar. From what I understand, it's the same thing. I have 8 of these trees. Actually make that 7 because I just took one out. They are a great choice for the look of those beautiful evergreens you see up north, that don't fare well here in zone 9.

Although I think it's a great looking tree, I have to give it a neutral because these really aren't all that practical in home landscapes unless you have a lot of room or only want to plant one as a specimin tree.

The reasons are they get large with a wide spread. 50x20 or so. And that uses up a lot of valuable space in the yard for other plants when they get big. Thus, finding a good spot for the trees in a small yard is tough. Removing them, due to their strong valuable wood, is expensive. And transplating them once they become established, sadly, is not possible without a tree spade truck. To make matters worse, if you wanted to plant several in a row or other pattern and can only afford small trees, if one of them should die 10 years down the road, you will be left with a big awkward gap in your pattern. Of course you can shave off the lower branches for a funky looking bonsai type appearance.

Aside from the apple rust issue already mentioned, I have read (but haven't confirmed) that there is some level of autotoxicity with these which would prevent other plants from doing well underneath or immediately nearby. So consider it a rumor, but it would definitely effect my choice if I could do it over.

This tree isn't a solution for fast privacy because the growth rate is slow, about 2 feet per year. Yes, I call that slow considering willows, poplars and sycamores grow much faster for shade.

But enough complaining. This tree SMELLS GREAT! I love to smell it, but the mosquitoes can't stand the smell, and the tree is known to repel mosquitoes. Don't plant it for that reason though because you will still get plenty of bites!

This tree is hard to find in retail garden center nurseries in FL. You may have to hunt to find it, but a good alternative is Leyland Cypress and that is available in many nurseries like Lowes.

I would recommend if you want to have these trees in your yard, plant in random locations near (but not too close) to windows and doors. This way when you walk outside or people come to your house, or you open your windows, you have that wonderful alpine scent, and folks, that alone is reason to have a Southern Red Cedar.

Strong native tree, with a beautiful shape - urn-like when young, assymetrical with age. One of the few cedar/juniper trees for south Louisiana.

i have probably 20 or so in my yard of various heights. i love them and are constantly getting comments from folks telling me how lovely they look. they grow very fast here in z7b and are gorgeous with lites on them at Christmas (outdoors that is). i love to go up to them and smell them in summer to remind me the holidays are coming. several have been damaged by ice but have fully recovered after a couple growing seasons. they make great privacy trees!!!

If you have apple trees, this is not a good plant to have growing anywhere in the vicinity, as it acts as the alternate host for Cedar-apple rust, the fungus Gymnosporangium juniperivirginianae. The presence of the fungus is evidenced by orange and gelatinous galls on the Juniper. Since Junipers are so prevalent in most parts of the country, planting disease-resistant apples and applying fungicide are the most effective defenses.

Planted five in 2000 and pretty much like what I was told: "plant them and forget them." Here in zone 7 the foliage turns a bronze shade in winter, but otherwise is a nice evergreen. Survived freezing rain with grace. Has not been bothered by diseases or pests. One spring when we had a lot of rain, they were in standing water for a good two/three days - no matter. They are very strong performers in full sun. Berries are very nice and attracts birds. Love them.

Red cedar is an evergreen growing 40 to 50 feet tall and spreading 8 to 12 feet. Red cedar develops a brownish tint in winter and is sometimes used in windbreaks. The fruit is a blue berry and is ornamental when produced in quantity.
Eastern red cedar is a common coniferous species found in every State east of the 100th meridian. Its wood is highly valued because of its beauty, durability, and workability. It provides cedarwood oil for fragrance compounds, food and shelter for wildlife, and protective vegetation for fragile soils.