Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana is not a true cedar but is a member of the Juniper family. It is a shrub or smallish tree with both scale-like and needle-like bluish-green leaves. The fruits are dark blue berries which have a whitish powdery covering. Seeds deposited in bird droppings grow along fences where the birds perch. The reddish heartwood is aromatic and is used to make cedar chests. French settlers in North America referred to Red Cedar as "baton rouge" (red stick) and as they found it growing in Louisiana the capital city acquired the same name. [CH] {TS}