Eastern red cedar (juniperus virginiana)
Eastern red cedar is a native species of juniper whose ecological niche is thriving in disturbed areas. While most species in this niche are relatively short-lived, Eastern Red Cedar is an exception: it can survive for up to 900 years! This extremely drought tolerant tree is hardy and very adaptable. Can be invasive outside of its range and aggressive within its range if left unchecked. It can grow up to 50 feet tall and prefers full sun. While this tree is extremely common in our area, that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked for the home garden! In addition to being easy to grow, it offers a range of benefits for people and wildlife.
An eastern red cedar tree grows outside my apartment door, and I’m grateful to whomever planted it there. The berries attract large flocks of birds, from robins to cedar waxwings. The noisy commotion of their feeding frenzies is truly a sight to behold. The thick evergreen boughs provide cover for birds, and this tree hosts robins’ nests nearly every spring.
The powdery dark purple “berries” are actually cones in the botanical sense. Keep in mind that Eastern red cedars have separate male and female plants. So if you want berries, you’ll need a female tree. The whitish powder on the berries is wild yeast, and the berries can be used in making a wide variety of home fermented goods. I need to take only a few steps outside to collect berries for my homemade sauerkraut and wild-fermented sodas. Eastern red cedar leaves can also be used to make tea that can be drunk in moderation, and the berries can also be used to make a traditional Balkan juniper drink called smreka. Juniper lends its fresh, piney aroma to dishes in which it is used. While the berries can be used as flavoring in a wide variety of beverages and foods, they shouldn’t be eaten outright. The fragrant wood was traditionally used to make a wide variety of goods, including moth-repellent cedar chests.
Eastern red cedar can be a host plant for cedar apple rust, a fungus which attacks apple trees, as well as quince and pears. If you (or your nearby neighbors) have apple trees on your property whose fruits you’re planning on harvesting, you should probably avoid planting Eastern red cedar.
“Eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana), St. Joseph Twp., Ontario” by Fungus Guy is licensed under CC by 3.0
