Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is an evergreen tree that is easily grown in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils in full sun. In good conditions, it will grow to 30 to 40 feet in height and reach a width of 10 to 20 feet. It has blue-green, overlapping, scale-like leaves.

This is a dioecious species (separate male and female trees). It blooms from January to March with yellow male cones at branch tips. Female cones are blue, frosted-looking, and abundant. Cones ripen in fall, have a white waxy covering and display from September to February.

This tree’s compact, evergreen foliage makes it favorable for bird nests and as a winter shelter location for birds and mammals. 

This tree is also resistant to damage by deer.