Eastern Red Cedar

The Eastern Red cedar, also known as Juniperus virginiana, is a hardy and beautiful evergreen tree that can enhance the beauty of any garden. Despite its name, it is a juniper and is well-suited to withstand drought, heat, and cold. This tree can thrive in various soil conditions, including poor dry soil, alkaline soil, rocky areas, and wetlands. Additionally, it is resilient to windy conditions and was historically planted as a windbreak during the 1930s Dust Bowl era.

The Eastern Red cedar is visually appealing and serves as an essential food and shelter source for wildlife. Its blue fruits are a popular food source for wildlife, including the Cedar Waxwing songbird. 

This long-lived evergreen tree is known to live for more than 500 years. It is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. Female trees produce green flowers and small berry-like cones, while male trees produce yellow flowers and pollen-bearing cones.

The tree's fragrant oil also acts as a natural insect repellent. Furthermore, it is a vital food source for over 50 bird species and various mammals such as rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and coyotes.

However, it's important to note that the Eastern Red cedar should be planted at least 500 feet away from apple trees, as it can host cedar-apple rust, a fungal disease that can severely damage apple trees.

The Eastern Red cedar was first observed in 1564 on Roanoke Island, Virginia. Early colonists praised its rot-resistant heartwood, making it highly valued for construction.