Eastern Red Cedar — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Juniperus virginiana |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 30–90 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 4.4–12.8 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 1095–3650 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 304.8–762 |
| Mature height (cm) | 609.6–1524 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 304.8–762 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 2–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Eastern Red Cedar is the most widely distributed conifer in eastern North America, native from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to the Great Plains, colonizing abandoned fields, roadsides, fence lines, and rocky glades with a tenacity matched by few other native trees — it is the quintessential first colonizer of open, disturbed ground in eastern North America and has expanded its range dramatically following suppression of natural fire and the abandonment of agricultural fields. The aromatic, reddish-brown wood was historically prized for cedar chests, pencils, and fence posts due to its rot-resistance and insect-repelling properties; the fleshy, glaucous-blue, seed-bearing 'cones' (botanically berries) are an essential winter food for cedar waxwings, bluebirds, mockingbirds, and dozens of other birds, and the dense, scale-like foliage provides critical winter nesting cover. Eastern Red Cedar is a host for the alternate life stage of cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae), which can infect nearby apple trees — avoid planting within 1,000 feet of apple orchards. An extremely tough, drought-tolerant, adaptable native tree for landscapes from zone 2–9.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
OpenPlantDB · eastern-red-cedar
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0