Digging deeperPlant Library

Eastern Redcedar

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Eastern Redcedar

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

A rugged, upright growing evergreen tree; typically has dusty or gray-green needles which turn brownish in winter; adaptable especially to dry soils, but needs full sun; many fine cultivars available in all sizes imaginable

Ornamental Features

Eastern Redcedar is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and turn coppery-bronze in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It produces silvery blue berries from late spring to late winter.

Landscape Attributes

Eastern Redcedar is an evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Eastern Redcedar is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• Windbreaks and Shelterbelts

Planting & Growing

Eastern Redcedar will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.