Plantae>Coniferophyta>Pinopsida>Pinales>Cupressaceae>Juniperus virginiana L.
| A common medium-sized tree of old fields and other open areas. The dark green leaves, glaucous blue berry-like cones, and red heartwood are very fragrant. |
| The fleshy cones are green in the spring, turning bluish with maturity, and have a white coating. Scale-like leaves are found on slow-growing shoots. |
| Fast-growing young shoots have awl-like leaves. Trees often have both leaf types. |
| The bark shreds off in long, thin, fibrous strips. Squirrels often use it to build their nests. |
| Eastern Redcedar is a host plant for the Juniper Hairstreak butterfly. The female at left is laying eggs. |
| Open-grown trees normally have a distinctive dense columnar or conical shape. |
| Eastern Redcedars are adept at hanging on in extreme situations. This upside-down tree somehow manages to cling to life on a vertical cliff face. Great Falls National Park, Fairfax Co., VA 9/11/05. |
More information:
Native Conifers of North America
NC State Fact Sheet
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Revised 2/10/07 cwcook@duke.edu
All photographs and text ©2007 by Will Cook unless otherwise indicated.