Plant · P-1006

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Eastern red cedar is a slow-growing, densely conical evergreen conifer with aromatic, insect-repelling wood used in cabinetry, pencils and fencing, and blue, resin-scented berries that flavor gin and are eaten fresh by a wide range of birds through winter. It tolerates poor, rocky, alkaline soil, drought, wind and both hard cold and summer heat, making it one of the toughest conifers for exposed or difficult ground. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees, so only female trees bear the blue, berry-like cones that feed wildlife.