JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA – Eastern Redcedar
The Eastern Redcedar Evergreen Tree is native in 37 states
[Elementary School students]
Did you know?
What part of the tree is used building things?
* The wood is often used to make fence posts and rails as it is naturally rot resistant.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/juniperus-virginiana/
What did early American Settlers use this tree for?
* Eastern Redcedar was found at Roanoke Island, Virginia and was prized by the Colonists for building furniture, rail fences, and log cabins.
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUVI
What holiday can this tree be used for?
* This evergreen is sometimes used as a Christmas tree
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUVI
Can the tree be used for medical purposes?
* A tea of fruits and leaves for coughs and colds. Berries can be chewed for canker sores in mouth. Native Americans drank oil from red cedar berries for dysentery. Boiled fruit and leaves make a drink for colds and coughs.
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUVI
Is the tree poisonous?
* Fleshy cones (resembles berries), leaves. Low toxicity when ingested; large amounts may cause diarrhea.
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUVI
Leaf
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/juniperus-virginiana/
[Middle School students]
Habitat (where it likes to live)
* Well drained soils in full sun and also in wet soils
* Location: Eastern and central North America (Zone 2 to 9)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniperus_virginiana
Requirements (what it needs to live)
* Water: Medium
* Maintenance: Low
* Sun – Full sun to part shade
Identification (what it looks like)
* Dense evergreen conifer
* Berries are pronounced when in bloom
* Foliage is fragrant
[High School students]
Habit (how it grows)
* Height: 30 to 40 feet
* Spread: 10 to 12 feet
* Bloom Time: Summer
* Bloom Description: Blue berries on female trees
* Sun: Full sun
* Tolerate: Drought, heat and cold
Berries
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/juniperus-virginiana/
Tree:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/juniperus-virginiana/
Suggested Use (where to plant it):
* Screening
* Food for birds and butterflies
* Parks – Seth Hand Park
* Resistant to deer damage
References:
- Missouri Botanic Garden – missouribotanicgarden.org
- NC State Extension– https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/juniperus-virginiana/
- Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniperus_virginiana
- Wildflower - https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUVI