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How to Grow Weeping Eastern Red Cedar

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Weeping Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana 'Canaertii' or similar weeping cultivars

tree

A graceful, narrow evergreen tree with drooping foliage and reddish-brown, peeling bark that creates a weeping or pendulous form. Despite its common name, it is actually a juniper, not a true cedar, and is highly valued as an ornamental specimen tree. It combines year-round visual interest with exceptional hardiness and low maintenance requirements.

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Example Weeping Eastern Red Cedar timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Weeping Eastern Red Cedar

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Weeping Eastern Red Cedar

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade but maintains better form and foliage density in full sun
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Water: Drought-tolerant once established (1-2 years). During establishment, water moderately and consistently but allow soil to dry between waterings. Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot and disease.
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Spacing: 120-180 inches (10-15 feet apart for mature canopy spread, depending on cultivar) inches
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Days to maturity: N/A (ornamental tree); reaches landscape maturity in 10-15 years
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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury trunk

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil; highly adaptable to poor soils
pH: 5.5-7.5
Amendments:
Compost for initial planting Coarse sand or gravel if soil is heavy clay Minimal fertilization needed—avoid excess nitrogen

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

Establishment (Year 1-2)

1-2 years

Young tree is compact with upright growth; foliage may appear slightly yellowed or stressed as it acclimates to site

Water consistently but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Provide light mulch (2-3 inches) around base, keeping away from trunk. Avoid heavy pruning; allow natural form to develop.

2

Young Growth (Year 2-5)

3-4 years

Tree develops characteristic weeping form; branching becomes more pendulous and graceful; reaches 15-20 feet tall

Continue regular watering during dry periods. Remove any competing or crossing branches. Mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. No fertilization typically needed.

3

Maturation (Year 5-15)

10+ years

Full weeping habit is well-established; tree reaches 25-40 feet tall depending on cultivar; bark becomes deeply furrowed and reddish-brown

Water during extended droughts. Minimal pruning required—remove only dead or diseased wood or branches interfering with structures. Monitor for spider mites and cedar-apple rust in humid regions.

4

Mature Tree (15+ years)

Indefinite (long-lived, 100+ years)

Specimen tree reaches full size (25-40+ feet); weeping form is pronounced; produces small blue-gray berries on female trees

Maintenance is minimal. Prune only for safety or to remove disease. Inspect periodically for pest or disease issues. Tree requires little water unless in severe drought.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Russian Sage Coreopsis Black-eyed Susan Sedum Ornamental grasses (Miscanthus, Panicum) Lavender Daylilies Catmint

Avoid planting near:

Apple trees (cedar-apple rust alternate host) Hawthorn Serviceberry Quince Plants requiring consistently moist soil

Common Pests

  • Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use horticultural oil or neem oil in severe cases; maintain adequate moisture to reduce spider mite pressure

  • Remove alternate hosts (apples, hawthorn) from vicinity if possible; avoid overhead watering; prune out infected twigs; fungicide applications in spring if chronic issue

  • Hand-pick bags in fall or winter; spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in early summer when caterpillars are small

  • Horticultural oil spray in dormant season; insecticidal soap or neem oil during growing season for severe infestations

Uses

🏠

Specimen Ornamental & Landscape Accent

Household

Prized as a focal point tree in gardens, parks, and residential landscapes due to its distinctive weeping form and year-round visual interest. Its narrow, graceful silhouette works well in small to medium spaces where dramatic effect is desired. [source]

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Holiday & Dried Decorations

Household

Branches with foliage and berry-like cones can be harvested and used in fresh or dried holiday arrangements, wreaths, and floral displays. The reddish bark and fine texture add natural beauty to seasonal décor. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Shelter & Food

Wildlife

Provides excellent shelter and nesting habitat for birds; female trees produce small blue-gray berry-like cones that are eaten by cedar waxwings, robins, and other wildlife. Dense foliage offers protection from predators. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal & Aromatherapy Uses

Medicinal

Eastern red cedar wood and foliage have been used traditionally in Native American medicine and herbal preparations. The wood is prized for its aromatic properties in closets and chests for natural pest deterrent. [source]

🎨

Aromatic Wood for Woodworking & Closet Storage

Craft

The fragrant, rot-resistant heartwood is valuable for furniture, fence posts, hope chests, and closet lining due to its natural moth-repelling properties and pleasant cedar scent. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

This is an ornamental tree—no harvest for food. Foliage and branches can be cut for holiday decorations or dried arrangements. Prune selectively in late winter or early spring; avoid heavy pruning that disrupts the graceful weeping form.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Despite its name, the Eastern red cedar is actually a juniper (Juniperus virginiana), not a true cedar; the misnomer arose from early European settlers who called the fragrant wood 'cedar' in trade.
  • 🌱 The wood of Eastern red cedar is extremely rot-resistant and aromatic, making it historically valued for closet linings, pencils, and long-lasting fence posts—a single piece can last 50+ years in the ground.
  • 🌱 The small blue-gray berry-like structures are actually modified cones (galbuli), not true berries, and they are a favorite food of cedar waxwings, which can consume hundreds in a single day during migration season.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade
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