Juniperus virginiana

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Eastern Red Cedar

Cupressaceae

Also known as Juniperus silicola

Plant Specifics

Form:Tree
Size:to 40 ft tall by to 20 ft wide
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:NA
Fruit Color:Blue
Phenology:Evergreen. Dioecious (male and female cones on separate trees). Female cones ripen in fall.
Noted for:Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Often used as a screen by planting in one or two fairly dense rows. Also useful as a background tree.  Can be a specimen tree.
Propagation:Seed.
Availability:Big box stores, Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales, Quality nurseries, Seed
Light: Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.
Soil or other substrate:Clay, Lime rock, Sand
Soil pH:Slightly acidic to calcareous

Ecology

Wildlife:
 

Birds eat the fruit-like cones and use the foliage for cover.

Insects:
Native Habitats:Calcareous soils, shell mounds, coastal hammocks, second growth on open rocky fields. Open.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 8A 8B 9A 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

Ethnobotany:Was used as a southern Christmas tree before trees were carted in from the north.
General Comments:The blue fruits on this tree are actually fleshy cones.