Identification

• Two forms of needles: sharp barbs or smooth scales
• The needles overlap each other like chainmail
• Needle tips turn a bronzed color in winter
• Bark forms in vertical strips and has a reddish brown hue
• The cones look like small, round berries
• Female trees have blue cones while males have yellow
• Develop a cone shape but puff out with age

Status

• Native

Interesting Facts

• The wood from Eastern Junipers is valued for its aromatic scent and durable qualities; it is commonly used in outdoor furniture and porches.
• The berry like cones can be used to flavor gin, and the needles can be boiled to make tea.

References

Meier. 2016. Aromatic red cedar. The Wood Database. http://www.wood-database.com/aromatic-red-cedar/

R. Lawson. (n.d.). Juniperus virginiana L., Eastern redcedar. USDA Forest Service. https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/juniperus/virginian a.htm

St. Olaf College. (n.d.). Eastern Red Cedar. http://wp.stolaf.edu/naturallands/woodlands/coniferous/redcedar/

University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. 2015. Juniperus virginiana, Eastern redcedar. http://hort.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=234

Image Credits

Eastern Juniper: "Appalachian Trail: Totts Gap to Mount Minsi (12)" by Nicholas A. Tonelli, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Old Needles: Untitled work by Forest & Kim Starr, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Image cropped.

Bark: "Woodpecker Holes" by Brett Whaley, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. Image cropped.