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How to Grow Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'

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Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'

Juniperus virginiana 'Emerald Green'

tree

'Emerald Green' is a narrow, columnar cultivar of Eastern Red Cedar prized for its dense, vibrant green foliage year-round and compact form. It grows as a fast-growing evergreen tree that maintains its shape naturally without extensive pruning. This cultivar is popular for windbreaks, screens, and formal landscaping due to its refined appearance and cold hardiness.

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Example Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Eastern Red Cedar 'Emerald Green' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade but develops denser growth in full sun
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Water: Moderate water needs once established; water regularly during first growing season to establish deep roots. Drought-tolerant once mature, but performs better with occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods. Reduce watering in winter; avoid waterlogged conditions.
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Spacing: 36-60 inches (3-5 feet) for single specimens; closer spacing (24-36 inches) for screening or windbreak plantings inches
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Days to maturity: Full maturity reached at 20-30 years; reaches 20-25 feet height in 15-20 years
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Planting depth: Plant transplants at same depth as container; top of root ball level with soil surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining soil; adaptable to sandy, loamy, or rocky soils
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost at planting Peat moss for water retention in sandy soils Mulch layer (2-3 inches) to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-9, with best performance in zones 3-8

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

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Growth Stages

1

Young Establishment (Year 1-2)

12-24 months

Small columnar tree 3-6 feet tall with bright green foliage and developing root system. Form is naturally narrow and upright.

Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid heavy fertilization; apply slow-release balanced fertilizer once or twice in first season.

2

Active Growth (Year 3-10)

7-8 years

Rapid height increase to 12-20 feet with maintained columnar form. Foliage becomes denser and darker emerald green.

Reduce supplemental watering as roots establish. Prune only to shape or remove diseased branches. Monitor for spider mites and bagworms. Maintain mulch layer. Minimal fertilization needed.

3

Mature Development (Year 10-25)

10-15 years

Tree reaches 20-25 feet height with full, dense columnar form. Deep green color maintained year-round.

Drought-tolerant; water only during severe dry spells. Light pruning to maintain shape. Remove any dead or diseased wood promptly. No fertilization typically needed.

4

Full Maturity (Year 25+)

Indefinite

Fully mature specimen at maximum height and width (3-4 feet wide) with thick, well-established form and dense foliage.

Minimal care required. Prune only for size control or disease management. Provides excellent windbreak and screening function.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Boxwood Daylily Ornamental grasses Juniper cultivars Concolor Fir Serviceberry

Avoid planting near:

Apple trees (rust host relationship) Hawthorn (rust host relationship) Quince (rust host relationship) Junipers with cedar-apple rust susceptibility (plant 100+ feet apart if possible)

Common Pests

  • Spray with horticultural oil or miticide in early morning; increase humidity; prune affected branches

  • Handpick and destroy bags in winter; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in late spring; use insecticidal spray if severe

  • Spray with horticultural oil during dormant season; prune heavily infested branches

  • Remove galls in winter; avoid planting near apple, hawthorn, or quince trees; fungicide application in spring if necessary

  • Ensure well-draining soil; avoid overwatering; improve drainage if standing water occurs

Uses

🏠

Windbreaks and Privacy Screens

Household

The narrow, dense columnar form makes 'Emerald Green' ideal for creating natural windbreaks and privacy screens in landscapes. Multiple trees planted in rows can shield properties from wind and unwanted views while requiring minimal space. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Shelter and Food

Wildlife

The dense evergreen foliage provides year-round shelter for birds and wildlife, while the small bluish berry-like cones (actually modified seed scales) offer food for cedar waxwings and other birds. [source]

🏠

Formal Landscape Design

Household

'Emerald Green' works beautifully as a specimen plant or paired plantings in formal gardens, Mediterranean-style landscapes, and contemporary designs due to its architectural columnar shape. [source]

🎨

Aromatic Wood

Craft

Eastern Red Cedar wood is aromatic and decay-resistant; wood chips or branches are traditionally used in cedar chests, closets, and as natural insect repellents, particularly for moths. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Historically, Eastern Red Cedar foliage and essential oils have been used in traditional medicine and aromatherapy, though scientific evidence is limited and the plant should not be consumed internally without expert guidance. [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 like a crop plant. Prune for desired shape or size in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead or diseased branches anytime. For windbreaks or screens, allow to grow naturally with minimal pruning.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 'Emerald Green' is not actually a true cedar (genus Cedrus) but a juniper; it earned the common name because early colonists confused it with true cedars, and the name persisted despite the botanical correction.
  • 🌱 Eastern Red Cedar is the state tree of Tennessee and Kentucky; the 'Emerald Green' cultivar's dense, narrow form was specifically selected and cultivated for ornamental use in the 20th century.
  • 🌱 The wood is naturally rot-resistant due to its tight grain and aromatic oils, which is why it was historically used for fence posts and chests, and remains one of the most durable woods for outdoor applications.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade
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