How to Grow Eastern Red Cedar 'Canaertii'

Eastern Red Cedar 'Canaertii'

Juniperus virginiana 'Canaertii'

tree

Eastern Red Cedar 'Canaertii' is a columnar evergreen conifer prized for its narrow, upright growth habit and dense blue-green foliage. This cultivar grows to 40-50 feet tall but only 3-6 feet wide, making it ideal for screening and accent plantings. It is actually a juniper, not a true cedar, and provides year-round structure and interest to landscapes.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; performs best in bright, open locations

💧

Water: Drought-tolerant once established; water regularly during first 1-2 growing seasons to establish deep roots; requires minimal supplemental watering in mature stage

📏

Spacing: 36-60 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 3-5 years to reach landscape maturity; continues growing for decades

🌱

Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury the base of the trunk

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil; tolerates poor and rocky soils

pH: 5.5-7.5

Amendments:

Perlite or coarse sand for drainage improvement Organic matter (limited, as excessive fertility causes weak growth)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-9, with best performance in zones 3-7

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Establishment

1 year

Young tree with thin trunk and sparse branching structure; foliage is pale blue-green and wispy

Water deeply 1-2 times weekly for first year; avoid transplanting; stake if needed in windy locations; do not over-fertilize

Early Development

2-3 years

Tree develops denser branching and more defined columnar form; foliage becomes denser and deeper green-blue

Reduce watering frequency as roots deepen; minimal pruning needed; allow natural form to develop; mulch to retain moisture

Active Growth

5-10 years

Rapidly gains height and fills out; compact columnar silhouette becomes prominent; may produce small blue berry-like cones (female plants)

Light pruning only to maintain shape if desired; essentially maintenance-free; drought-tolerant; remove any crossing or damaged branches

Mature

15+ years

Reaches full height of 40-50 feet with consistent 3-6 foot width; dense blue-green foliage year-round; productive cone bearing on female plants

Prune only for safety or to remove dead wood; no fertilization needed; extremely drought-tolerant; monitor for cedar-apple rust in humid regions

Senescence

30+ years

Tree maintains excellent form and foliage even in old age; may develop thick bark and show some interior branch dieback

Remove clearly dead branches; maintain adequate air circulation to prevent fungal issues; continue minimal care

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Ornamental grasses (Panicum, Festuca) Russian Sage Catmint Coneflower Black-eyed Susan Juniperus horizontalis cultivars Spiraea Potentilla

Avoid planting near:

Apple trees (host for cedar-apple rust) Hawthorn (cedar-hawthorn rust host) Cotoneaster (rust susceptibility) Plants requiring consistent moisture Shade-intolerant understory plants

Common Pests

Remove nearby apple/hawthorn trees if possible; improve air circulation; remove galls from branches in fall/winter; apply fungicide if severe; resistant cultivars available
Prune infected branches 12 inches below affected area; sterilize tools between cuts; avoid overhead watering; improve drainage
Monitor foliage for discoloration and fine webbing; increase humidity with occasional misting; spray with water or insecticidal soap if populations build
Hand-pick and destroy egg cases in late winter/early spring; spray with spinosad or neem oil in early summer when young caterpillars emerge
Prune heavily infested branches; spray dormant oil in late winter; monitor regularly for early detection

Uses

🏠

Windbreak and Privacy Screen

Household

The narrow columnar form of 'Canaertii' makes it ideal for creating living windbreaks and privacy screens in tight spaces. Multiple trees planted in rows can effectively block wind and filter views while taking up minimal ground width. [source]

🎨

Floral Arrangements and Garland

Craft

The attractive blue-green foliage and dense branching make 'Canaertii' valuable for fresh floral arrangements, wreaths, and holiday garlands. Its foliage retains color and texture well when cut and dried. [source]

🦋

Shelter and Food Source

Wildlife

Female plants produce small blue berry-like seed cones that provide winter food for birds, while the dense branching offers shelter for wildlife. The plant supports cedar waxwings, robins, and other species. [source]

🏠

Accent Planting and Focal Point

Household

The striking columnar silhouette makes 'Canaertii' an excellent vertical accent in landscape design, adding year-round structural interest and definition to gardens and building entryways. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Historically, juniper species have been used in traditional medicine to support urinary and digestive health, though modern medicinal use is limited and should be approached with caution. Essential oil and extracts contain beneficial compounds. [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 applicable for ornamental use. If harvesting foliage for arrangement: cut branches in fall/winter; no seeds harvested for commercial use.

Fun Facts

🌱 Despite its common name 'Eastern Red Cedar,' Juniperus virginiana is actually a juniper, not a true cedar. The confusion arose from early colonists who noted the wood's cedar-like aroma and durability.
🌱 'Canaertii' was introduced by the Arnold Arboretum and is one of the most popular narrow columnar cultivars, capable of reaching over 50 feet tall while remaining less than 6 feet wide—an exceptional space-efficient design for landscaping.
🌱 The wood of Eastern Red Cedar has naturally aromatic properties due to volatile oils and is highly resistant to rot and decay, making it historically valuable for fence posts, chests, and pencils. A single tree can purify air through its foliage throughout the year.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free