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Eastern Red Cedar

Will Ship Spring 2025

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

Eastern Red Cedar Plugs Also Available - CLICK HERE

Plant Characteristics
DEER RESISTANT
HUNTING PLOT
GAME BIRDS
PYRAMIDAL SHAPE
$5.86
2-9

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

The Eastern Red Cedar is an iron man when it comes to trees. If you have a tough spot to fill, this is your tree. This cedar will grow just about anywhere, even in those bottom land and low lying areas of your property. Its dense, blue-green and somewhat prickly foliage is a natural harbor for many types of birds and is deer proof. The Eastern Red Cedar turns a purplish color in autumn and its berries stay on as a food source for many different birds and small mammals.

The Eastern Red Cedar is also sometimes called the Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper or the Pencil Cedar.

The Eastern Red Cedar is sturdy beyond belief once it is established. In the seedling and small tree stage, it needs to be watered vigilantly, sometimes twice weekly if you are experiencing a dry spell. Eastern Red Cedar can benefit from using a root stimulator when it is planted such as Ferti-Lome Root Stimulator & Plant Start Solution®, or something similar. 

This plant may benefit from the application of a fungicide. It is intolerant of wet foliage, so watering the soil at the base of the plant is necessary. With that said, the Eastern Red Cedar is prone to mold and/or fungus if the foliage remains wet. After planting, heavy precipitation or long lasting dew may present challenges for the seedlings. If they brown out, it is likely a matter of water lingering on or around the foliage. If heavy or frequent precipitation occurs in your location, this may cause you to experience issues with your Eastern Red Cedar.

The Eastern Red Cedar is about as deer proof as they come so it is a great choice for those areas with heavy deer populations. The dense foliage is used for roosting and nesting cover by many types of game birds, songbirds and several types of raptors.

These plants require a bit of special attention during the first planting season in particular. Eastern Red Cedar requires adequate moisture. During dry spells, it is necessary to provide additional water, (a thorough soaking applied directly at soil level). Eastern Red Cedar does not like wet foliage, especially when they are younger trees. However, they are typically content in wetter soils.

Common uses for the Eastern Red Cedar:

  • Evergreen for almost any soil type or moisture situation
  • Excellent shelter for game birds, deer and many songbirds
  • Privacy screen or living fence
  • Naturalizing fields, old fence rows and river or stream banks
  • Reddish colored and naturally rot resistant lumber

The Eastern Red Cedar serves as a food and shelter source to many birds and mammals such as White-tailed deer. The berry like cones are eaten by many game birds and songbirds such as the Cedar Waxwing which was named after the tree. Game birds that look to this cedar for food and shelter include the Ruffed Grouse, the Bobwhite Quail and Wild Turkeys. Birds that use the Eastern Red Cedar for food or nesting cover include the Cooper's Hawk, Blue Jay, Robin, Northern Mockingbird as well as some warblers and sparrows. The dense cover also makes it a roosting hangout for many other birds including owls. The berry like seed cones are also eaten by the Gray Fox, Black Bear and the Eastern Chipmunk.  

Product Questions

Can Red Cedars be planted under a mature Red Oak grove? Red Oaks are approximately 40'-60' tall. Vegetation can be controlled and regular watering will be done.
Question by: Dustin Boeker on Feb 19, 2021, 2:41 PM
Eastern Red Cedars require full sun to partial sun. If it will be mostly shaded with little sun, we would not recommend growing them in that location. You could try establishing a holding bed in a sunny area and when the trees are a bit larger, you could move to the grove to give them a better start.
Answer by: Chief River Nursery on Feb 19, 2021, 3:23 PM
I live in Western Washington where we get lots of rain and I just saw the part about the trees that they don't like wet foliage. Once mature will they have less problems with this?
Question by: Aaron on Apr 5, 2021, 2:18 PM
The Eastern Red Cedar It is intolerant of wet foliage, so watering the soil at the base of the plant is necessary. With that said, the Eastern Red Cedar is prone to mold and/or fungus if the foliage remains wet. After planting, heavy precipitation or long lasting dew may present challenges for the seedlings. If they brown out, it is likely a matter of water lingering on or around the foliage. If heavy or frequent precipitation occurs in your location, this may cause you to experience issues with your Eastern Red Cedar. Older established trees may not be as susceptible for damage from wet foliage.
Answer by: Chief River Nursery on Apr 5, 2021, 2:56 PM
Do we need to fertilize them anytime soon? Or when should we?
Question by: Patti Cook on Apr 9, 2021, 4:40 PM
Fertilization should not be done the first year. The first year is about establishing a strong root system.
Answer by: Chief River Nursery on Apr 9, 2021, 4:56 PM
Would it be okay to buy eastern red cedars now and store them in a non-heated shed for the winter with the intent to plant in the spring?
Question by: JOHN CRAM on Dec 13, 2021, 8:24 AM
No, we do not offer a fall planting option. We ship exclusively in the springtime. Any orders placed now ship in the spring, which is our recommended planting time for bare root stock.
Answer by: Chief River Nursery on Dec 13, 2021, 11:03 AM
Do I need to use Grow Tubes when planting Red Cedars?
Question by: Al Bangert on Dec 28, 2021, 11:15 AM
We do not recommend Grow tubes for conifers in general, since they grow wider and outgrow the tube quickly.
Answer by: Chief River Nursery on Aug 31, 2022, 2:09 PM
Answer by: Chief River Nursery on Aug 31, 2022, 2:10 PM