How to Grow Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'
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Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'
Juniperus virginiana 'Emerald Green'
treeEmerald Green is a narrow, columnar cultivar of Eastern Red Cedar prized for its vibrant green foliage and architectural form. This evergreen conifer maintains a dense, pyramidal shape without pruning and reaches 40-50 feet tall but only 3-4 feet wide, making it ideal for screens, windbreaks, and accent plantings. It is extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established.
When should you plant Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green' in your zone?
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Example Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'
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 Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9, extremely cold-hardy and adaptable
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Get my Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green' timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung tree with 12-24 inches of growth per year; narrow columnar form evident from the start; bright green foliage
Water deeply 1-2 times weekly during dry periods; apply 2-3 inches of mulch; stake in windy locations; avoid transplanting after first year if possible
Young Growth
2-4 yearsRapid upright growth, foliage densifies and deepens in color; maintains natural pyramidal shape
Continue regular watering during drought; light pruning only if needed to shape; monitor for spider mites in hot, dry conditions
Maturation
5-15 yearsTree reaches 20-30+ feet tall; extremely dense, dark green foliage; columnar form fully developed
Minimal watering except during severe drought; prune only to remove dead or diseased branches; very low maintenance
Mature/Landscape
15+ yearsReaches full height of 40-50 feet with dark, rich green color; dense branching extends to base if in full sun
Essentially no supplemental watering unless extreme drought; remove any winter damage; can live 50+ years with minimal care
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; ensure adequate irrigation as stress increases susceptibility
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Hand-pick and destroy bags in fall/winter; spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in early spring when caterpillars emerge
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Prune heavily infested branches; spray dormant oil in late winter; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap in spring
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Remove and destroy affected branches; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; fungicide spray may help in severe cases
Uses
Privacy Screens and Windbreaks
HouseholdThe narrow columnar form and dense foliage make Emerald Green ideal for creating living screens, privacy hedges, and windbreaks. Planted in rows, these trees provide year-round screening without requiring extensive pruning. [source]
Cedar Oil and Aromatic Products
CraftEastern Red Cedar is valued in woodworking for its aromatic, rot-resistant heartwood, and its essential oils have long been used in cedar chests, closets, and craft applications to repel insects. [source]
Ornamental Landscape Accent
HouseholdThe vibrant emerald-green color and striking upright form make this cultivar an excellent focal point in formal gardens, foundation plantings, and residential landscapes. [source]
Wildlife Shelter and Food
WildlifeThe dense branching provides excellent shelter and nesting sites for birds, while the berry-like cones (actually female reproductive structures) are food for cedar waxwings and other wildlife. [source]
Traditional Herbal Remedy
MedicinalHistorically, Eastern Red Cedar foliage and oil have been used in traditional medicine for respiratory support and immune health, though scientific evidence is limited. [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 for fruits; used as living screening or specimen. Some sources indicate foliage can be harvested for cedar oil extraction, but this is not standard practice. Focus instead on selective pruning of dead or damaged branches.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite its common name 'Eastern Red Cedar,' this tree is actually a juniper, not a true cedar—true cedars belong to the genus Cedrus and are native to the Old World.
- 🌱 The Emerald Green cultivar was selected from a seedling in the 1920s and has become one of the most popular narrow evergreen trees in North America, widely used in urban and suburban landscapes.
- 🌱 Eastern Red Cedar heartwood is highly aromatic and naturally resistant to rot and insect damage, making it prized for cedar chests, closets, and outdoor construction despite its softness.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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