Juniperus virginiana
Eastern Red Cedar
Despite its common name, the Eastern Red Cedar is not actually a cedar but a juniper that can live up to 500 years. The foliage and small gray-blue berry-like cones of this tree are wonderfully fragrant. It is generally referred to as a pioneer species because it is often one of the first trees—along with Gray Birch, Trembling Aspen and White Pine—to grow on recently-disturbed sites such as abandoned farmlands. The Eastern Red Cedar is very tough in many respects, being resistant to drought and capable of withstanding both extreme heat and cold. It is also wind and salt tolerant and amenable to just about any type of soil. While in the past its growth was limited with controlled burns, today, in the absence of this practice, it is sometimes considered a “nuisance tree” for its ability to spread rapidly and displace other species of plants. However, the Eastern Red Cedar provides essential habitat for wildlife and food for over 50 species of birds such as the Cedar Waxwing. Its timber is also prized for being both insect-repellant and rot-resistant.