Common Name: Red Cedar
Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana
Location: Ophelia Parrish
Identifying Features
Juniperus virginiana, known as red cedar, eastern red cedar, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, red juniper, pencil cedar, and aromatic cedar, can be identified based upon its shedding thin strips of the bark, berry-like and glaucous (blueish) seed cones, and scale-like leaves which are pressed tightly against twigs.
Needs Distribution/Geography
Red Cedar is a species of juniper native to eastern North America from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and east of the Great Plains.
Uses
Red cedar is widely used in shelterbelts and wildlife plantings. The close-grained, aromatic, and durable wood of junipers is used for furniture, interior paneling, novelties, and fence posts. The fruits and young branches contain aromatic oil that is used in medicines.
History
Native American tribes have historically used poles of juniper wood to demarcate agreed tribal hunting territories. French traders named Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which denotes “red stick”, from the reddish color of these poles. Some nations continue to use it ceremonially.
Fun Fact
In the Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma Ozarks, eastern juniper is commonly used as a Christmas tree.