University of Illinois Extension

Hort Answers

Tree

Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana

Eastern Red Cedar form
Eastern Red Cedar form
 
Features
Evergreen needles turning purplish in winter; bluish gray fruit. 
 
Culture
Full sun; moist, well drained soil; tolerates drought, alkaline pH and salt. 
 
Cultivars
 
 
Mature Height
40-50 Feet
 
Size
Medium
 
 
Mature Form
Upright and narrow to pyramidal 
 
Native To:
United States (and Illinois) 
 
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9 
 
Soil Conditions
Dry
Moist, Well-Drained
 
 
Tolerance
Alkaline Soil
Dry Sites
Salt
Wind
 
 
Exposure/Light Requirements
Full Sun
 
 
Uses
Massing
Screen
Specimen
Wind Break
 
 
Foliage Color
Green
 
 
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Purple
 
 
Pests and Problems
 
Additional Notes
Eastern red cedar is a juniper, not a true cedar; this species is an alternate host for cedar apple rust which can be very damaging to apples, crabapples and hawthorns.

 

 
Related Resources
Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
U of IL - Plant Clinic