Fauna
Plant

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Also known as Red Cedar, Virginian Juniper, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper

Eastern red cedar thrives as a pioneer conifer across eastern North America, frequently colonizing abandoned pastures, limestone glades, and rocky fence rows. Its dense, aromatic evergreen foliage provides critical winter shelter for roosting birds, while its fleshy, dark blue cones offer essential winter food for cedar waxwings and robins. Heartwood from old specimens produces a rich, decay-resistant reddish timber prized for chest linings, fence posts, and pencil manufacturing.

EvergreenConiferAromatic
Eastern Red Cedar reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • American Robin
  • Bagworm Caterpillar
ThreatsFire suppression leading to unchecked spread, cedar-apple rust fungus
HabitatsOld fields, pastures, limestone glades, rocky slopes, forest edges
Life span100–300 years
Classification
  1. OrderPinales
  2. FamilyCupressaceae
  3. GenusJuniperus
  4. SpeciesJuniperus virginiana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Releases heavy airborne pollen in winter and spring; wild berries have toxic look-alikes, so never ingest.
Responsible observation
  • Pollen Awareness: Check regional pollen counts during late winter and early spring if sensitive to conifer pollen.
  • Wildlife Viewing: Search dense branches during cold winter days to spot roosting owls and flocks of foraging songbirds.
  • Identification: Look for scale-like green leaves paired with small, frosted blue cones on female trees.
Related species
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