Every spring, without fail, I find a bird's nest in my Eastern Redcedar. This is one of those essential trees for wildlife. Not only do birds--especially the Cedar Waxwing, named for the tree--eat the 1/4-inch "berries," or cones, but sparrows, robins, mockingbirds and a host of other birds use the dense, evergreen branching for winter shelter and protection.
Rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks and oppossums also eat the berries, and deer browse on the twigs and foliage.
Eastern Redcedar makes a great hedge or windbreak, and it has a lovely fragrance.
Fun fact: Many native American tribes considered the Eastern Redcedar the tree of life and used it to ease upset stomach and rheumatism, and for cleansing and healing after childbirth. ☺
Read our blog on Eastern Redcedar here
Eastern Redcedar
- Latin: Juniperus virginiana
- Pollinator value: Medium
- Wetland status: UPL
- Mature height: 30-40 feet (up to 60); 10-20 foot width
- Light: Full to part sun
- Soil: Moist or dry
- Foliage: dark blue-green
- Fruit: blue fall berries on females
- Landscape: Specimen, screen or windbreak
- Native range here