How to Grow Columnar Eastern Red Cedar
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Columnar Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana 'Canaertii' or similar columnar cultivars
treeA narrow, upright evergreen conifer native to eastern North America, prized for its distinctive columnar form and aromatic foliage. Despite its common name, it is actually a juniper, not a true cedar. The tree produces small blue berry-like cones and maintains its dense, vertical silhouette with minimal pruning.
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Example Columnar Eastern Red Cedar timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Columnar Eastern Red Cedar
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Columnar Eastern Red Cedar
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Columnar Eastern Red Cedar dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9, exceptionally cold-hardy and widely adaptable
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Get my Columnar Eastern Red Cedar timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
6-12 monthsYoung sapling with developing root system and initial vertical growth. Foliage is typically soft, gray-green to blue-green.
Water deeply twice weekly during first season; mulch base with 2-3 inches of wood chips. Stake if in windy location. Do not prune except to remove damaged branches.
Vegetative Growth
2-5 yearsActive height and width development with dense branching. Columnar form becomes more pronounced. Foliage transitions to mature color and texture.
Maintain consistent watering during dry spells; reduce frequency as tree establishes. Light pruning to maintain columnar shape if needed. Minimal fertilizer required.
Maturation
5-15+ yearsTree reaches near-maximum height and width; develops full density and characteristic columnar silhouette. Foliage deepens to blue-gray or dark green.
Reduce watering to drought-hardy maintenance level (water during prolonged dry periods only). Prune only to remove dead wood or maintain shape. Monitor for pests.
Cone Production
Ongoing after 5-7 yearsSmall, waxy blue cones develop on female trees in late summer through fall, persisting into winter and attracting wildlife.
No special care needed; cones are ornamental and support wildlife. Cones are not edible but add winter interest.
Mature Tree
20-50+ yearsFully developed columnar form, 30-40 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide (cultivar dependent). Long-lived, structurally stable specimen.
Minimal maintenance; occasional light pruning to maintain form. Water only during severe drought. Remove dead or diseased branches promptly.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use miticide if severe. Ensure adequate moisture during hot, dry periods to reduce stress.
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Hand-pick visible bags in fall/early spring before they open. Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in May-June when larvae are active.
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Prune heavily infested branches; spray with horticultural oil in dormant season or insecticidal soap during growing season.
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Prune affected foliage; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap if widespread damage occurs.
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Remove alternate hosts (apples, crabapples) from vicinity. Remove galls in winter/early spring before spore release. No fungicide effective; prevention through host removal is best strategy.
Uses
Landscape Screening & Windbreaks
HouseholdThe narrow columnar form makes this tree ideal for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, and vertical accents in narrow spaces. Multiple trees planted in rows create effective barriers while occupying minimal ground footprint. [source]
Ornamental Focal Points
HouseholdThe distinctive blue-gray foliage and upright habit serve as striking architectural elements in formal gardens, entry gardens, and contemporary landscapes. Provides year-round evergreen interest and structure. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Food Source
WildlifeThe dense branching provides shelter for birds and small mammals, while waxy blue cones offer food for cedar waxwings, juncos, and other wildlife throughout fall and winter. [source]
Aromatic Foliage
HouseholdThe crushed foliage releases a pleasant, distinctive fragrance often used in crafts, aromatic preparations, and wood products. Dried foliage can be used in arrangements or potpourri. [source]
Traditional Herbal Uses
MedicinalEastern red cedar has been used traditionally in Native American medicine and folk remedies, though modern scientific evidence is limited. Essential oils contain compounds like thujone and alpha-pinene. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Not harvested in traditional sense; tree is grown for ornamental purposes and long-term landscape structure. Cones can be collected for crafts or wildlife food in fall/winter. Foliage can be pruned for fresh arrangements but minimal pruning recommended for tree health.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite its common name 'Eastern Red Cedar,' this tree is actually a juniper (Juniperus species), not a true cedar. The misnaming dates back to early colonists who applied the name 'cedar' to the aromatic wood.
- 🌱 The wood of Eastern Red Cedar is naturally aromatic and rot-resistant, making it historically valuable for cedar chests, closet liners, and fence posts. The scent comes from volatile compounds that act as natural insect repellents.
- 🌱 The columnar cultivars like 'Canaertii' are often propagated from cuttings rather than seeds to maintain the precise upright form, ensuring genetic consistency with parent trees.
Gardening Terms
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