Appalachian Tree Species

Eastern Redcedar

Juniperus virginianaSoftwood

Eastern Redcedar is an evergreen conifer with scale-like foliage, berry-like seed cones and aromatic wood. It is a softwood, and it is the species KY Wood Products means when discussing Cedar lumber.

Species and Commercial Names

Despite its common name, Eastern Redcedar is a juniper, not a true cedar. Its scientific name is Juniperus virginiana. In a wood-buying conversation, Cedar alone can be ambiguous: Western Redcedar, Atlantic White Cedar, Northern White Cedar and true cedars in Cedrus are different trees. Here, Cedar means Eastern Redcedar.

Tree & Region

Where It Grows

Eastern Redcedar is native to Kentucky and occurs widely across eastern and central North America. Its range extends into southern Canada.

It can grow on rocky, shallow soils and is familiar in open ground and abandoned fields. The ability to persist on difficult sites does not mean those sites produce its best growth: deeper, moist, well-drained soils can support larger trees.

Identifying the Tree

Eastern Redcedar commonly has a compact, pyramidal outline when young. Older trees can develop a more irregular crown, and trees on poor sites may remain small.

Foliage

Mature foliage consists of small overlapping scales held close to the twig. Young shoots can also carry pointed, needle-like leaves. The evergreen foliage may take on a brown-green tone in winter.

Bark

The gray to reddish-brown bark peels in thin, narrow strips on mature trees.

Fruit, Seeds & Cones

The small blue structures often called berries are seed cones, with a pale waxy coating. They occur on female trees. Male trees bear small pollen cones instead.

The Wood

Appearance and Grain

Reddish heartwood contrasts strongly with the nearly white, narrow sapwood. The wood has a characteristic aroma.

The texture is fine and even, and small knots are common. That knot pattern is part of the appearance a buyer should consider when discussing visible wood surfaces.

Practical Characteristics

Eastern Redcedar has low shrinkage and is dimensionally stable after drying. It still exchanges moisture with its surroundings, so the supplied condition and intended setting matter when planning an application.

The heartwood has strong natural resistance to decay. That property should not be extended to the pale sapwood or treated as a guarantee of service life for every board or exposure.

Common Uses

Established uses include fence posts, chests and closet lining. These illustrate uses of the wood generally; they are separate from the lumber dimensions, condition and quantities agreed for a KY Wood Products order.

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