Tree of the Month: The Eastern Red Cedar

If you’re looking for a tough, beautiful, low-maintenance evergreen that thrives in Missouri, the Eastern Red Cedar might be the perfect fit. This native conifer offers year-round color, impressive durability, and a range of benefits for both homeowners and wildlife.

At Hansen’s Tree Service, we focus on highlighting native species that make sense for local landscapes, and the Eastern Red Cedar is a prime example. Whether you’re planting for privacy, wildlife habitat, or soil stabilization, this tree delivers.

Here’s everything you need to know about choosing, planting, and caring for the Eastern Red Cedar in your yard.

What Is the Eastern Red Cedar?

Despite the name, the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is actually a type of juniper, not a true cedar. Native to the eastern and central U.S., it grows naturally in fields, along roadsides, and in open woods throughout Missouri, including the greater St. Louis area.

This evergreen is highly adaptable, capable of thriving in poor soil types, rocky ground, and challenging weather conditions. It’s often one of the first trees to reclaim abandoned farmland, which speaks to its resilience.

Why Homeowners Love Eastern Red Cedar

The eastern red cedar is a popular choice for homeowners, for a variety of reasons:

• Year-Round Greenery: Unlike many Missouri natives, Eastern Red Cedar keeps its foliage all year long. Its dense, scale-like leaves offer a rich green to bluish-green color during the growing season and may take on a purplish hue in winter—adding seasonal interest when many other trees are bare.
• Natural Windbreak and Privacy Screen: Looking to block wind or create a visual barrier between you and the neighbors? Eastern Red Cedar’s dense foliage makes it an ideal choice for windbreaks and privacy plantings. It grows in a conical shape and can reach 40 to 50 feet in height with an eight to 20 feet wide spread, depending on conditions.
• Wildlife Magnet: This tree is a friend to Missouri’s wildlife. Its small, blue, berry-like cones are a favorite of cedar waxwings, robins, and many other birds. The thick canopy also offers excellent shelter for songbirds, rabbits, and even deer.
• Low Maintenance Once Established: This is an important consideration for many homeowners. Eastern Red Cedars typically require little attention one fully established. They’re drought-tolerant, resistant to most pests and diseases, and don’t demand much in the way of fertilizer or irrigation, making this species an easy-care addition to your landscape.

Is the Eastern Red Cedar Right for Your Yard?

Before planting any tree, it’s essential to consider your yard’s specific conditions. The Eastern Red Cedar is tough and versatile, but it does best in:

• Full sun (at least six hours of direct light per day)
• Well-drained soil (though it can handle clay and rocky soil better than most)
• Open space, since mature trees need room to grow and spread

It’s also worth noting that Eastern Red Cedar produces both male and female trees. Only the females produce the characteristic blue “berries,” so if you’re planting for wildlife or aesthetics, be sure to include at least one female specimen.

Potential Drawbacks to Keep in Mind

As much as we admire the Eastern Red Cedar, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Cedar-apple rust: This tree is a host for cedar-apple rust, a fungal disease that can affect apple and crabapple trees. If you’re growing fruit trees nearby, this could be a concern.
• Invasive tendencies in unmanaged fields: In agricultural or prairie areas, Eastern Red Cedar can spread aggressively if left unchecked. However, in urban and suburban yards, this is rarely an issue.
• Allergy potential: The pollen from male trees can be a strong allergen for some people in late winter and early spring.

Planting and Care Tips

If you’ve decided the Eastern Red Cedar is right for your yard, here are a few best practices to help your tree thrive:

• Plant in early spring or fall to give roots time to establish before summer heat or winter cold.
• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
• Water deeply and regularly for the first year, especially during dry spells.
• Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, but keep mulch away from the trunk.

At Hansen’s Tree Service, we offer 100% organic mulch made right here in Missouri. It’s the perfect complement to native trees like Eastern Red Cedar.

Should You Prune Eastern Red Cedar?

Eastern Red Cedars generally don’t require regular pruning, but light shaping can be done in early spring. Remove any dead or damaged branches, and don’t be afraid to call in a professional if your tree needs structural attention.

Our certified arborists are happy to advise you on how to maintain a natural look while keeping the tree healthy and strong.

Bring Missouri’s Native Beauty to Your Backyard

The Eastern Red Cedar isn’t just a rugged survivor, it’s a beautiful, native evergreen that brings year-round value to your yard. Whether you’re planting a single ornamental tree or designing a functional windbreak, it’s a smart choice for homeowners in the greater St. Louis area and the Lake of the Ozarks region.

Want help choosing the right tree or getting it in the ground the right way? Hansen’s Tree Service is here to help you plant with confidence and care. Contact us today!