Cupressaceae -- Cypress family

    Edwin R. Lawson

    Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), also called red juniper  or savin, is a common coniferous species growing on a variety of sites  throughout the eastern half of the United States. Although eastern  redcedar is generally not considered to be an important commercial  species, its wood is highly valued because of its beauty, durability, and  workability. The number of trees and volume of eastern redcedar are  increasing throughout most of its range. It provides cedarwood oil for  fragrance compounds, food and shelter for wildlife, and protective  vegetation for fragile soils.