Eastern Red Cedar
Plant Type: Dormant, bare-root
Zones: 2-9
Soil Type: Clay, Loamy & Sandy Soils
Site Selection: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Mature Height & Width: 40-50' Height and 8-20' Spread
Growth Rate: Moderate - 12-24" per year once established
Moisture Requirements: Dry to wet soils
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Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
The Eastern red cedar is one of the toughest and most adaptable trees available. If you need a deer-resistant tree that can handle poor soil, drought, or even occasional flooding, this conifer is the perfect choice. Eastern red cedar saplings are resilient and thrive in a wide range of conditions, from dry uplands to low-lying bottomlands. Its dense, blue-green, and somewhat prickly foliage provides excellent shelter for many types of birds and turns a purplish hue in autumn. The Eastern red cedar tree produces small, berry-like cones that persist through winter, offering a vital food source for wildlife. Eastern red cedar trees for sale at Chief River Nursery are carefully cultivated to ensure strong root development for successful planting.
Also known as juniper cedar, Eastern juniper, red juniper, or pencil cedar, the Eastern red cedar is a hardy cedar evergreen valued for its durability. Eastern red cedar saplings and seedlings require constant moisture during their first growing season, especially during dry spells. Eastern red cedar seedlings should be watered directly at the soil level, as they are intolerant of wet foliage. Prolonged moisture on their needles can lead to fungal issues. If heavy precipitation occurs, extra care should be taken to monitor seedlings for browning or stress.
Using a root stimulator when planting Eastern red cedar seedlings can encourage strong establishment. For landowners looking to plant in bulk, Eastern red cedar seedlings for sale in larger quantities provide an efficient and cost-effective way to establish windbreaks, privacy screens, or reforestation projects.
Pro Tip: Eastern red cedar trees for sale anywhere will require a bit of special attention, particularly during the first planting season. Juniperus virginiana saplings require adequate moisture. During dry spells, it is necessary to provide additional water via a thorough soaking applied directly at the soil level. Eastern red cedar does not tolerate wet foliage, especially when young, but is typically content in wetter soils.
Common uses for the Eastern Red Cedar:
- Wildlife Habitat: Eastern red cedar seedlings grow into dense evergreens that provide excellent cover for birds and mammals.
- Windbreaks & Privacy Screens: Once established, Eastern red cedar for sale makes a great natural barrier against wind and noise.
- Erosion Control: These trees are ideal for stabilizing riverbanks, fence rows, and open fields.
- Ornamental Landscaping: Eastern red cedar saplings add beauty to various landscapes with their evergreen foliage and reddish-brown bark.
- Timber Production: Naturally rot-resistant, its reddish-colored wood is prized for fence posts, furniture, and cabinetry.
Eastern red cedar seedlings mature into trees that provide essential food and shelter for many species. The berry-like cones are eaten by numerous game birds, including ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, and wild turkeys. Cedar waxwings, which are named after this tree, rely on its berries as a primary food source. Birds such as Cooper’s hawks, blue jays, robins, and northern mockingbirds nest within the dense branches of Eastern red cedar trees. The thick foliage also serves as a winter roosting site for owls and other raptors. Beyond birds, eastern red cedar seedlings bulk-planted in open fields create a crucial habitat for deer and small mammals. Gray foxes, black bears, and chipmunks all eat the tree’s berry-like cones, making this species an integral part of local ecosystems.
