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Woody > Juniperus > Juniperus virginiana > Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana


Eastern Red Cedar




Origin:  North America into east of the Rocky Mountains. Introduced to North America cultivation around 1664. The fragrant wood is used to make chests, closet hangers and liners, carvings and other wood products.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

As a species, it has no place in the cultivated landscape except in natural restorations. Many of its cultivars are very nice though.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Cupressaceae
Genus
Juniperus
Species
virginiana
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (evergreen)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-9
Canadian Hardiness Zone
0a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7 - H3
Temperature (°C)
(-43) - (-1)
Temperature (°F)
(-45) - 30
Height
15 m
Spread
3-7 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
Will survive almost anywhere. Typically seen growing in ditches and under power lines where they were seeded by birds. It has moderate salt tolerance.
Landscape
Not a valuable landscape plant. Suitable for screens and windbreaks. Also useful in naturalization projects. It will grow well where many other plants cannot survive.
Cultivation
Tolerates very poor site conditions including gravelly soil with high pH values. Prefers full sun, but will tolerate shade when young.
Shape
Columnar to broadly pyramidal.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
Juvenile leaves are in pairs. Also has very distinct cedar odour as well as a very bitter taste.
Pests
Commonly affected by cedar apple rust, causing large globose galls with telia emerging in spring. Also affected by juniper bloom rust and bagworms.
Habitat
Dry upland area, often on loose scree.
Bark/Stem Description
Grey-brown to red-brown, exfoliating in strips.
Leaf Description
Awl-like juvenile leaves, in pairs, about 5mm long. Adult leaves are scale-like and arranged in 4 ranks, pressed close to the stem.
Flower Description
It is a dioecious species. Male form small yellow cones which release large amounts of pollen. These cones can persist through most of the season.
Fruit Description
Small green cones, about 75mm in diameter with a heavy bloom. They are round to ovoid in shape.
Colour Description
The colour is somewhat variable but is rich green in summer, turning to brownish-purplish green in winter.
Texture Description
Medium
Notable Specimens
Common throughout Ontario but especially on the 401 highway corridor close to Windsor.
Propagation
From seed, treat with citric acid for 96 hours, then warm stratification for 6 weeks and cold stratification for an additional 10 weeks. It may also be easily rooted from cuttings.
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