How to Grow Eastern Redcedar
Eastern Redcedar
Juniperus virginiana
treeEastern Redcedar is a native North American evergreen conifer that typically grows as a narrow, columnar tree reaching 40-50 feet tall. Despite its common name, it is actually a juniper species, not a true cedar. It is valued for its fragrant reddish-brown heartwood, ornamental appeal, and ecological benefits.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; extremely cold and heat hardy
Sign up to see your zone highlighted.
Growth Stages
Seedling
First yearSmall needle-leaved seedlings with soft, fine-textured foliage; initially slow-growing
Provide consistent moisture without waterlogging; protect from extreme heat and cold; mulch lightly
Establishment
2-3 yearsYoung tree developing root system and establishing characteristic columnar shape; foliage becomes more scale-like
Water during dry periods; stake if necessary in windy sites; avoid deep cultivation around root zone
Growth/Maturation
5-15 yearsTree rapidly increases in height and girth; develops dense, pyramidal to columnar form; foliage transitions to mature scale-like leaves
Minimal pruning needed; remove dead or diseased branches; tree becomes increasingly drought-tolerant
Fruiting
From year 5-10 onward, annuallyFemale trees produce distinctive blue, waxy, berry-like cones (arils) in fall and winter; mature trees have thick, exfoliating bark
Berry production attracts birds and wildlife; no special care needed; male trees produce pollen cones in spring
Mature
50+ yearsLarge tree with thick, fibrous reddish-brown bark, dense evergreen foliage, and established form; long-lived (200+ years)
Essentially maintenance-free; prune only for safety or shaping; enjoy wildlife benefits and fragrant heartwood
Common Pests
-
Remove infected arils; plant away from apple and hawthorn trees; apply fungicide if severe; resistant varieties available
-
Hand-pick bags in late fall or winter; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in early summer when caterpillars are small
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if infestation is severe; improve air circulation
-
Prune heavily infested branches; apply dormant oil spray in late winter; systemic insecticide for severe infestations
-
Prune out affected tips; improve tree vigor with proper watering; apply insecticide if needed
Uses
Fragrant Heartwood
HouseholdThe distinctive reddish-brown heartwood has a pleasant cedar-like aroma that naturally repels moths and insects. It is widely used in closet linings, hope chests, and aromatic wood products. [source]
Pencil and Woodwork
CraftEastern Redcedar is the traditional wood used to make pencils and is highly valued by woodworkers for fine furniture and decorative items due to its color, grain, and workability. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Food
WildlifeFemale trees produce waxy blue berry-like cones that attract cedar waxwings, robins, and other birds. The dense foliage provides shelter and nesting sites for numerous bird species. [source]
Traditional Folk Medicine
MedicinalEssential oils from the wood and foliage have been used traditionally in remedies and aromatherapy, though scientific evidence is limited. Oil of Juniperus virginiana contains volatile compounds like cedrene. [source]
Juniper Berries for Flavoring
CulinaryThe berry-like cones (arils) have been used traditionally to flavor gin and other beverages, though Eastern Redcedar cones are less commonly used than those of other juniper species. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Eastern Redcedar is not harvested for food or conventional crops. However, branches can be cut for aromatic decorative use or craft projects year-round. The heartwood is prized for use in furniture, chests, and pencils but requires mature trees (15+ years) and professional harvesting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite its common name, Eastern Redcedar is not a true cedar but a juniper; the misnomer dates back to early colonial times when settlers named it after the fragrant cedar of the Old World.
- 🌱 Eastern Redcedar wood is naturally resistant to decay and insect damage due to compounds in the heartwood, making it valuable for outdoor structures and long-lasting wooden products.
- 🌱 A single mature Eastern Redcedar can live over 200 years, and some of the oldest known specimens in North America are 400+ years old.
Want personalized planting timelines?
Sign up to get frost dates, task lists, and more for your zone.
Get started free