Ontario Trees & Shrubs website

Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana

Other common names: Eastern Juniper, Red Cedar, Red Juniper

French names: Genévrier de Virginie

Family: Cypress Family (Cupressaceae)

Group: Junipers

Distinctive features: Tree, Shrub

Similar species:
  •   Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) - similar mainly in name. Needles are soft.


Flowers: Green/Brown

Leaves: sharp needles.

Height: 5 m (16 ft)

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas;  Open areas.

Books: Trees in Canada: 20   

Native/Non-native: Native

Notes: The Eastern Red Cedar is not really a cedar, it's a juniper. And in fact that's what it looks like.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: virginiana: of Virginia, Virginian


Photographs: 58 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

A young Eastern Red Cedar growing in my backyard. It's about 3-4 feet tall here.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Here are some Eastern Red Cedar trees in Point Pelee National Park (Ontario) that have been browsed by deer.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Overview of red cedar foliage.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar needles.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Close-up of the needles.


Range map for Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)