Introduction to the Eastern Red Cedar:
Eastern red cedar is not a true cedar. It is a juniper and the most widely distributed native conifer in the eastern United States. Redcedar (red and cedar can be spelled together or separate) is found in every state east of the 100th meridian. This hardy tree is considered a "pioneer" tree species and often among the first trees to occupy cleared areas where it's seeds are spread by cedar waxwings and other birds that enjoy the fleshy, bluish seed cones. Fence lines attract the birds and red cedar trees become the new wild "hedge".
The Eastern Red Cedar Tree Range:
Eastern red cedar is a conifer and species of juniper native to the eastern North America. The red cedar range extends from southeastern Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico. To the west, native red cedar tree range only occurs east of the Great Plains but has been successfully spread toward the west by natural regeneration from planted trees.
The Hardy Eastern Red Cedar:
The dense but attractive foliage growth makes Eastern Redcedar a favorite for windbreaks, screens,
and wildlife-cover for large yards and landscapes. Red cedar's high salt-tolerance makes it ideal for seaside locations. Still, it is not recommended as a street tree where winter roads are salted because it can obstruct the view of traffic. Redcedar makes a nice Christmas tree, and the fragrant wood is popular for repelling insects.
Identification of Eastern Red Cedar:
The evergreen red cedar is a small to medium tree that rarely exceeds 50 feet in height. Redcedar is single-trunked and the only native juniper that is upright and columnar. The bark has shedding thin strips, the seed cones are berry-like and glaucous (blueish), the leaves are scale-like and pressed tightly against twigs.
Uses of Eastern Red Cedar:
Red cedar wood is highly valued as a wood for the fine-grained, decay resistant wood used to panel closets and split for fence posts. Other uses include making pails, making lead pencils and making cedar chests. Speaking of chests, the volatile cedrine camphor oil has been proven to kill larvae of moths that feed on wool.
As I have mentioned, redcedar makes a lovely Christmas tree and comes with that perfect smell of the season. I actually made my high-school Christmas money selling red cedar Christmas trees. It may not work where red cedar is not a preferred Christmas tree.
Eastern Red Cedar Trees Plant Easily:
Eastern redcedar can be planted in full sun or partial shade. Red cedar will easily grow in a variety of soils, including clay, but will not do well when roots are constantly moist or wet. Do not over water redcedar but do water seedlings until established, then leave the tree alone.
Red cedars are difficult to transplant due to a coarse root system except when quite small. Still, when properly planted it will perform well with no care and can handle acid, alkaline soil and coastal soils. Usually insects and diseases are not a problem if planted in open sun.
