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Eastern Red Cedar

Researched by Brianna O’Malley

Species: Juniperus virginiana
Common name: Red cedar, eastern red cedar, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, and red juniper
Family:  Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
Clade:  Gymnosperms (non-flowering seed plants)

Coordinates:  39.70663134, -75.11670629

Tree Tag: 315 An icon used to show more information.
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

 

Eastern red cedar, also known as juniper, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, and red juniper, belongs to the Cupressaceae or Cypress family. It is a gymnosperm, meaning the tree produces naked seeds without a true fruit. The species is non-flowering.

The bark has a reddish tint and is fairly thin and fibrous. Eastern red cedars can live more than 450 years and may grow 30-40 feet tall.

The tree is dioecious, meaning the male and female reproductive structures are on separate plants. The female trees produce berry-like seeds after fertilizing them with pollen produced in cones on the male trees. The “berries” have a blue-purple tint and a waxy covering; they play a key role in flavoring gin, adding a piney, citrus flavor typically combined with up to six other plants. Read More

 

Vector illustration of the juniper (red cedar) needles.
An image of the juniper (Red Cedar) tree branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper (Red Cedar) tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper bark in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the red cedar tree bark with an insect in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper (Red Cedar) tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper (Red Cedar) tree branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper tree branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper tree leaves and fruit in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper (Red Cedar) tree leaves and fruit in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper (Red Cedar) tree branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the juniper fruits in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.

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Campus Species Map
Student Researcher

Brianna O’Malley

Brianna O’Malley earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 2023.

Suggested Citation:

O’Malley, Brianna. (2022, Dec). Juniper. Rowan University Arboretum.  https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/eastern-red-cedar/

Questions to Explore

  • How were the “berries” of the Juniper tree used by Native Americans?
  • How is this species important for the life cycle of the cedar-apple rust fungus?
  • What remedies were created by using the leaves of the Juniper tree?
  • What are Juniper berries mainly used to flavor today?
  • What animals favor the eastern red juniper and why?

References

Bebeau, G.D. (n.d.). The Friends of the wildflower garden, inc.. Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana L. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from | Link

Lawson, E. (n.d.). Eastern Red Cedar. Juniperus virginiana L. | Link

DeAngelis, Z. (2022, September 1). Full juniper lifespan (here’s how long they last). Tree Journey. | Link

Juniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar) Cupressaceae. Lake Forest College. (n.d.). | Link

Miles, A. (2016, October 7). Juniper Tree Facts. Home Guides | SF Gate. | Link

The Pros and Cons of the Eastern Red Cedar. Piedmont Master Gardeners. (n.d.). | Link

 

Additional Resources

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Plant-soil feedback from eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) inhibits the growth of grasses in encroaching range | Link

Analyzing the influence of a large flood on eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) distribution along the Missouri River using remote-sensing techniques | Link

Characterization of heat treated eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) | Link

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