Associated Forest Cover
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Pure stands of eastern redcedar are scattered throughout the primary
range of the species. Most of these stands are on abandoned farm lands or
drier upland sites. The forest cover type Eastern Redcedar (Society of
American Foresters Type 46) is widespread and therefore has many
associates (10).
Variants of the type are eastern redcedar-pine, eastern
redcedar-hardwood, and eastern redcedar-pine-hardwood. The eastern
redcedar-pine variant is composed of eastern redcedar and either shortleaf
pine (Pinus echinata) or Virginia pine (P. virginiana) and
is found throughout the southern half of its range. The eastern
redcedar-hardwood variant is found throughout the central part of its
range and includes a mixture of red (Quercus rubra) and white (Q.
alba) oaks, hickories (Carya spp.), black walnut (Juglans
nigra), and other hardwoods. The third variant, eastern
redcedar-pine-hardwood, includes all of the above species associations
(15). Eastern redcedar appears as a minor component of several other
forest cover types.
Eastern redcedar is among the first to invade abandoned fields and areas
cleared for pasture (25). On deeper soils, persimmon (Diospyros
virginiana) and sassafras (Sassafras albidum) are associated
invaders and may crowd it out. In cedar glades, the species is commonly
associated with blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), winged elm
(Ulmus alata), fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), Carolina
buckthorn (Rhamnus caroliniana), rusty blackhaw (Viburnum
rufidulum), and Alabama supplejack (Berchemia scandens). Little
bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), big bluestem (A. gerardi),
yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), switchgrass (Panicum
virgatum), dropseed (Sporobolus spp.), and numerous composites
and legumes are common herbaceous plants.
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Climate
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The wide natural distribution of eastern redcedar clearly indicates its
ability to grow under varying and extreme climatic conditions. Average
annual precipitation varies from about 380 mm (15 in) in the northwestern
section to 1520 mm (60 in) in the southern parts of its range (40).
Throughout the eastern redcedar range, average precipitation from April
through September measures from 380 mm (15 in) to 760 mm (30 in). This
suggests that summer precipitation may be more limiting to the species
than average annual precipitation. Average annual snowfall ranges from a
trace to more than 254 cm (100 in).
Average annual temperatures vary from about 4° C (40° F) in
the north to 20° C (68° F) in the southern part of the botanical
range. Average annual maximum temperature ranges only from about 32°
C (90° F) to 41° C (105° F), but average minimum
temperature ranges from -43° C (-45° F) to -7° C (20°
F). The growing season varies from about 120 to 250 days.
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Damaging Agents
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Fire is probably the worst enemy of eastern
redcedar. The thin bark and roots near the ground surface are easily
injured by fires. Some natural protection against fire exists because its
foliage does not bum well and litter accumulation is minimal under stands
on thin soils (11,15).
Several insects damage eastern redcedar trees but rarely cause serious
permanent damage (5). Roots of seedlings are very susceptible to attack by
nematodes and grubs. The foliage is eaten by bagworms (Thyridopteryx
ephemeraeformis) and spruce spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis),
both of which can completely defoliate trees. The eastern juniper bark
beetle (Phloeosinus dentatus) attacks the species but usually does
not kill trees except when the attack is associated with the root rot
fungus, Heterobasidion annosum. Another bark beetle (Phloeosinus
canadensis) may feed on eastern redcedar. Several boring insects,
including the black-horned juniper borer (Callidium texanum), cedartree
borer (Semanotus ligneus), cypress and cedar borer (Oeme
rigida), and pales weevil (Hylobius pales) will attack eastern
redcedar. The juniper midge (Contarinia juniperina) is a gall
insect pest of redcedar which bores into the twigs at the base of needles
and kills the portion beyond the entrance hole. In addition to pales
weevil, two other weevils, the arborvitae weevil (Phyllobius intrusus)
and the strawberry root weevil (Otiorhynchus ovatus), feed on
roots of eastern redcedar. The latter two weevils are also leaf feeders,
along with the juniper webworm (Dichomeris marginella); a wax moth
(Coleotechnites juniperella); a leaf roller (Choristoneura
houstonana), a pest of windbreak and ornamental plantings; and a
sawfly (Monoctenus melliceps). The Fletcher scale (Lecanium
fletcheri) and juniper scale (Carulaspis juniperi) are two
other commonly occurring insects that attack junipers.
Eastern redcedar, especially when weakened by stress or insects, is very
susceptible to damage by the root rot fungus, Heterobasidion annosum.
This disease is thought to cause the greatest damage over much of its
range. Cubical rot fungi (Fomes subroseus and Daedalea
juniperina) and juniper pocket rot fungus (Pyrofomes demidoffii)
enter eastern redcedars through dead branch stubs and attack the
heartwood. Several other minor heart-rot fungi infect eastern redcedar
(21).
The major stem and foliage diseases of eastern redcedar are fungi known
as cedar rusts in the genus Gymnosporangium. The most commonly
known and widely spread species is cedar apple rust (G.
juniperi-virginianae), which attacks trees in all stages of
development. Because it is an alternate host to this disease, the presence
of redcedar is a problem to apple growers. Other common species are G.
clavipes, G. globosum, G. effusum, and G. nidus-avis. The
latter fungus is widely distributed and produces witches' brooms (21).
Important foliage diseases include Phomopsis blight (Phomopsis
juniperovora) and Cercospora sequoiae blight, which also
attack seedlings. Phomopsis blight has been difficult to control in
nurseries, but newer developments show promise (12,32). Both blights can
cause major losses to eastern redcedar in the field, but Phomopsis blight
is not a serious problem after seedlings reach age 4.
Newly established seedlings are subject to frost-heaving, and foliage
may occasionally be damaged by winter injury (23). Mice and rabbits may
damage young eastern redcedar seedlings. Livestock generally avoid biting
seedlings or trees but may trample the plants and their roots while
grazing. During times of scarce food, deer will heavily browse eastern
redcedar and destroy most reproduction (11,20). Redcedar withstands the
weight of snow fairly well, but it has only moderate resistance to ice
damage (8). Although the species is generally very tolerant to drought and
temperature extremes, the author observed considerable mortality in west
central Arkansas associated with the extremely hot, dry summer of 1980.
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Flowering and Fruiting
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Eastern redcedar is a dioecious species,
and trees probably reach sexual maturity at about 10 years. Staminate
strobili or conelets begin to develop on male trees at the tips of
axillary branches of new scale-leaves. Pollen grains are formed by late
September in conelets having 10 to 12 entire-margined sporophylls.
Staminate strobili turn a conspicuous yellowish brown when they reach
maturity during winter, and thus male trees are readily distinguished from
ovulate ones.
Small green conelets begin to develop by early fall or late summer on
ovulate trees but grow very little during the winter. They are borne
terminally on axillary branches of the new scale-leaves but do not become
conspicuous until late February to early spring. At this time the
microsporangial walls of the staminate conelets split longitudinally,
discharging the mature pollen. Pollen grains lodge at the end of the
micropyle of the many ovules in the conelet. Pollination is complete in a
few days when the conelet closes.
Growth of the pollen tube is slow at first but becomes active by late
May or mid-June. Fertilization occurs in June and the mature embryo is
full grown in about 2 months, anytime from late July to mid-November,
depending on location. As the ovulate cone develops, greenish fruit-scales
form the outer fleshy protective coat of the berrylike cone. Cones change
color from green to greenish white to whitish blue and finally to bluish
as the season progresses.
Each cone or fruit contains one to four (occasionally more) rounded or
angled brownish seeds, 2 to 4 mm (0.08 to 0.16 in) long, often with
longitudinal pits. The seed coat has a thick and bony outer layer and a
thin, membranous inner layer (23,47).
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Genetics
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Population Differences
Eastern redcedar displays great diversity in phenotypic characteristics
such as tree form, foliage color, and crown shape. Van Haverbeke's study
(41) included a total of 43 gross morphological, foliage, cone, and seed
characteristics and biochemical data derived from cone pulp. He points out
that much of the research on morphological characteristics of eastern
redcedar has been in the central and western parts of the species' range.
More recently, however, information on genetic variation in natural stands
in the eastern part of its range has been obtained (13). Natural variation
in the species may have been modified by past commercial exploitation of
natural stands and by the selection, propagation, and distribution of
clones (47).
Races and Hybrids
Two distinct varieties have been recognized in the United States. Juniperus
virginiana var. crebra (Fernald) is a northern form having a
narrow crown and slightly pitted seeds. The other variety, J.
virginiana var. ambigens, is an intermediate form between
eastern redcedar and creeping juniper, J. horizontalis Moench
(15).
Although there are no recognized hybrids at this time, evidence is
mounting that hybridization does occur. Population studies, especially in
the western part of eastern redcedar's range, suggest that considerable
introgression and perhaps blending of genetic differences have occurred
whenever species' ranges overlap; and that J. virginiana readily
hybridizes with J. scopulorum, J. horizontalis, and J. ashei,
resulting in juniper populations that contain the germ plasm of two or
three species (15). Research in the Ozarks, however, showed no evidence of
introgression into J. ashei by J. virginiana where J.
ashei was surrounded by J. virginiana (2).
The relatively strong influence of J. scopulorum germ plasm in
the western part of the eastern redcedar population suggests that the
entire population in the area studied is of hybrid origin (41). This
west-to-east flow of J. scopulorum germ plasm was further
supported by Flake, Urbatch, and Turner (14), who sampled many of Van
Haverbeke's sample trees for terpenoid analysis. He proposed an
alternative hypothesis that eastern redcedar of eastern and central North
America may have been derived from the western juniper complex.
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Growth and Yield
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Growth rates of eastern redcedar depend
largely on site quality, competition from other species, and stand
density. These factors probably reflect competition for available soil
moisture on most sites. Trees 20 to 30 years old are generally 5 to 8 m
(18 to 26 ft) tall and 6 to 8 cm (2.3 to 3.0 in) in d.b.h. Mature trees
are usually 12 to 15 m (40 to 50 ft) tall and 30 to 61 cm (12 to 24 in) in
d.b.h. On good sites, trees may reach 37 m (120 ft) in height and 122 cm
(48 in) in d.b.h. (25).
Some of the earliest data on diameter growth in natural eastern redcedar
stands is presented in table 2 (3). Site classes mentioned are those
described in table 1. Analysis of these data provided equations to compute
the height-age relationships in table 3. The relation of height of
dominant and codominant trees to d.b.h. and stand density was also
determined, after pooling of data for age and site classes (11). Height
growth, a reflection of soil depth and fertility, increases with stocking
density (fig 1).
Table 2- Average annual diameter growth of dominant
eastern redcedar by site
class and stand density¹
Site Class
Stand character
I
II
III
IV
mm
Under-stocked
7.6
8.1
4.6
3.6
Well-stocked
-
8.1
4.3
3.0
Over-stocked
-
3.8
2.5
1.8
in
Under-stocked
0.30
0.32
0.18
0.14
Well-stocked
-
0.32
0.17
0.12
Over-stocked
-
0.15
0.10
0.07
¹Based on
increment core measurements of 456 trees (3).
Table 3- Total height of eastern recedars by age¹
and site class
Site Class
Growth rings
II
III
m
ft
m
ft
10
4.6
15
3.7
12
15
5.5
18
5.2
17
20
7.6
25
6.1
20
25
8.5
28
7.3
24
30
9.8
32
7.9
26
35
10.7
35
8.8
29
40
11.3
37
9.4
31
45
12.2
40
10.1
33
50
12.8
42
10.7
35
¹Age was computed using the
total number of growth rings; false rings make accurate determinations
difficult.
Figure 1- Relation of height to d.b.h. by stocking class.
Other studies in Arkansas have shown that growth and yield are affected
by stand density and hardwood competition. In a 45-year-old eastern
redcedar stand, highest volume growth was obtained in unthinned stands
from which hardwoods had been removed. Volumes averaged 1.96 m³/ha
(28 ft³/acre) per year during a 14-year period. This was double the
growth of stands where hardwoods were left. A stand containing 432 crop
trees per hectare (175/acre), 7.6 cm (3.0 in) d.b.h. and larger grew
nearly the same volume after 14 years when 80 percent of the competition
was removed as an unreleased stand of 988 trees per hectare (400/acre)
(11).
Over a 10-year period in northern Arkansas, completely released stands
averaged higher growth in d.b.h., basal area, and volume than stands where
only crown competition was removed. The greatest mean d.b.h. growth, 6.4
cm (2.5 in), occurred with the lightest stocking, 124 crop trees per
hectare (50/acre). As stocking increased, mean d.b.h. growth decreased.
Basal area increase was greatest in stands having 988 crop trees per
hectare (400/acre), and as stocking decreased, basal area and volume
growth decreased. An initial stocking of 988 eastern redcedar crop trees
per hectare (400/acre), averaging about 7.6 cm (3 in) d.b.h., produced
over 28 m³/ha (2,000 fbm/acre) in 10 years. A stocking of 432 trees
per hectare (175/acre), averaging 10.2 cm (4 in) d.b.h., produced slightly
more volume during the same period on similar sites (11).
On most sites eastern redcedar grows slowly, and long rotations are
required to produce conventional sawlogs. Because the wood is used for
small items, however, and there is wide latitude in acceptable defects,
shortening of rotations and intermediate harvesting of merchantable wood
are possible. About 20 to 30 years are required for posts and 40 to 60
years for sawtimber (11,25).
Maintaining relatively dense stands can maximize post production.
Thinning one or more times before harvest cut hastens sawlog production
but may not increase total yield. The ideal density for growing sawlogs is
not known, but excessive thinning may promote excessive formation of
sapwood and growth of lower branches.
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Reaction to Competition
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Eastern redcedar has been classified as
intolerant to very intolerant of shade (11,30), but trees that have lived
for decades beneath a full canopy of hardwoods or pines on medium- to
low-quality sites have been observed. Apparently, eastern redcedar has an
inherent low capacity for water loss and the ability to sustain stomatal
opening at low water potentials, which help the species adapt to dry
environments (4). Eastern redcedar can also conduct photosynthesis when
overstory hardwoods are leafless and perhaps even reduces its light
requirements for photosynthesis by adjusting to shaded conditions (17,24).
Eastern redcedar is a pioneer species on surface-mined areas, old fields,
or pastures that are protected from fire; and it is the primary natural
reproduction in many shelterbelts. However, stands formed through invasion
of old fields may deteriorate at around 60 years of age as hardwoods or
other competing species become established. Eastern redcedar grows well
and faster than associated species because it is sun-adapted,
drought-resistant, and has a long growing season. On most sites, eastern
redcedar is temporary and is eventually replaced by more tolerant
hardwoods and pines. However, clusters of eastern redcedar established
beneath hardwoods have survived longer than the competing hardwood trees,
possibly due to an allelopathic effect, or the species may be a better
competitor for water and nutrients (34). The species is more permanent on
poor sites having thin, rocky soils, such as the glades of the Ozarks of
Missouri and Arkansas and the Nashville Basin in central Tennessee.
Eastern redcedar invasion of pastures is a problem on areas converted from
poor hardwood sites in the Ozarks and western areas of its range (9,31),
and the species is likely to persist for a long time if left to grow (7).
Eastern redcedar should be managed in even-aged stands, judging from
studies conducted in northern Arkansas (11). Good growth rates can be
maintained by controlling competition and stand densities.
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Rooting Habit
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On shallow and rocky soils, eastern redcedar
roots are very fibrous and tend to spread widely. Even first-year
seedlings begin developing a long fibrous root system, often at the
expense of top growth (15). If soil conditions permit, eastern redcedar
trees develop a deep, penetrating taproot.
Root development is greatly influenced by the size of soil-filled
fissures. Eastern redcedar roots are known to grow extensively in soils in
which limestone rocks make up more than 52 percent of the total soil
volume (11).
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Seed Production and Dissemination
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Mature eastern redcedar trees
produce some seeds nearly every year, but good crops occur only every 2 or
3 years. The cones do not open and will remain on the tree through the
winter, although many are eaten and dispersed by animals. Most remaining
cones are dispersed in February to March. Mature fruits are usually
collected in the fall by hand-stripping or shaking onto canvas. Seeds may
be stored as dried fruits or cleaned seeds.
After fanning to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris, the seeds can
be extracted by running the fruit through a macerator and floating the
pulp and empty seeds away. Dried fruits should be soaked in water several
hours before macerating. Since eastern redcedar fruits are resinous, they
should be soaked in a weak lye solution for 1 or 2 days. The soaking helps
separate the oily, resinous pulp from the seeds and aids further washing,
flotation, and stratification. This treatment should be followed by
thorough washing (45). The cleaned seeds are ready for use, or they can be
dried to 10 to 12 percent moisture content for storage at -7° C (20°
F) to 4° C (40° F). The number of cleaned seeds per kilogram
ranges from 81,570 (37,000/lb) to 121,250 (55,000/lb) and averages 96,120
(43,600/lb) (23). If seeds are to be sown in the spring, they should be
soaked in a citric acid solution (10,000 ppm) for 96-hours, placed in
moist-warm stratification at 24° C (75° F) for 6 weeks, and
finally placed in moist-cool stratification at 5° C (41° F) for
10 weeks. Germination is best if fresh seeds are used. If desired, dry,
stored seeds may be sown in mid-July, which accomplishes moist-warm
stratification, and the over-winter period accomplishes moist-cool
stratification for early spring germination (46).
In nursery practice, eastern redcedar seeds are broadcast or sown in
rows spaced 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) apart in well-prepared seedbeds and
covered with about 6 mm (0.25 in) of firmed soil or sand. Stratified seeds
should be sown in the spring early enough to allow completion of
germination before air temperatures exceed 21° C (70° F).
Germination of stratified seed usually begins in 6 to 10 days after sowing
and is completed in 4 to 5 weeks. Untreated seeds may be sown in the fall
and mulched until germination during the second spring after planting
(23); but when fruits are depulped, dried, and stored at -16° C (4°
F), seeds germinate the first spring after summer sowing (46). Germination
is epigeal.
Fruits are eaten by birds and other animals, which are important vectors
for seed dissemination (20). Seeds that pass through animal digestive
tracts and those that remain on the ground beneath the trees may germinate
the first or second spring. Most of the natural germination of eastern
redcedar seed takes place in early spring of the second year after
dispersal.
Eastern redcedar may also be established by hand direct-seeding or
machine-sowing (29). Both hand and furrow seeding are successful when
stratified seeds are used at the rate of 1.35 kg/ha (1.2 lb/acre).
Seedling catch is best where the amount of litter has been reduced and
hardwood competition has been completely removed. The rate of sowing may
be adjusted to allow for variations in germinative capacity of the seeds
and degree of competition control.
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Seedling Development
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Eastern redcedar seedlings grown in
nurseries may be transplanted from seedling beds after 1 or 2 years.
Spacing in transplant beds ranges from about 15 by 3 cm (6 by 1 in) to 20
by 5 cm (8 by 2 in), depending on locality. The age at which trees are
outplanted varies from area to area. Generally, eastern redcedar is field
planted as 2-0, 3-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, or 2-2 stock (numbers refer
respectively to growing seasons in seedling beds and transplant beds).
Survival and growth of planted stock can be improved by grading the
seedlings just after lifting from the nursery beds. Seedlings that are
relatively small, topheavy, oversized, damaged, diseased, or
insect-infested are discarded (37). Culling after lifting from transplant
beds is usually 1 to 3 percent, compared to 5 to 20 percent from seedling
beds. Eastern redcedar seedlings should have a stem diameter of at least
4.0 mm (0.16 in), but preferably 5.6 mm (0.22 in), at the ground line. It
is also desirable for seedlings to have top green weights that are no more
than 3 to 4 times heavier than the roots (26,36). Seedlings having higher
top-to-root ratios are more likely to die under environmental stress.
Survival of eastern redcedar plantations has been variable, with low
survival being attributed to poor seedling quality, low site quality, and
competition. If these factors are considered carefully, however, eastern
redcedar plantations can be successfully established. One early plantation
established from hand-pulled wildlings had 84 percent survival. In a
Nebraska plantation, established with 2-0 seedlings from 204 sources of
eastern redcedar and Rocky Mountain juniper, first-year survival averaged
95.1 percent. Four other plantations from these sources averaged more than
85 percent survival, although one in Oklahoma had only 19.7 percent
(11,38).
Most natural eastern redcedar regeneration takes place on relatively
poor hardwood or pine sites, along fence rows, or in pastures that are not
burned or mowed. Seedlings are commonly established in rather open
hardwood stands, adjacent to older seed-bearing eastern redcedar trees, as
a result of birds eating the fruit and subsequent deposition of seeds
(34). On very dry sites, most seedlings are found in crevices, between
layers of limestone, and in other protected places where the microclimate
is most favorable. Seedling development is relatively slow on these
adverse sites, although eastern redcedar seedlings withstand drought
rather well (4,22). First-year seedlings do not produce much height growth
but develop a long fibrous root system (15). Plantings from 2-0 stock
showed good growth in some areas, however, exceeding 45 cm (17.8 in) in
height after one growing season (38). If competition from an overstory is
rather severe, eastern redcedar seedlings may not survive. Once
established, however, eastern redcedar survives for extended periods under
severe competition (15,28). Eastern redcedar also competes very well in
shelterbelts, where it is the most common natural reproduction (43).
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Soils and Topography
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Eastern redcedar grows on a wide variety of soils, ranging from dry rock
outcrops to wet swampy land (15). The most common soils fall within the
soil orders Mollisols and Ultisols. No attempt will be made here to
describe all of them. Like most species, eastern redcedar grows best on
deep, moist, well-drained alluvial sites, where its height may reach 17 to
18 m (55 to 60 ft) in 50 years. On the better sites, however, hardwood
competition is so severe that the species rarely becomes dominant. Eastern
redcedar also grows well on deep, upland soils, particularly abandoned
farmland. A 0.4-hectare (1-acre) plantation established in Arkansas from
wildlings, with spacing of 1.8 by 1.8 m (6 by 6 ft), yielded a basal area
of 37.4 m²/ha (163 ft²/acre) and an estimated 196 m³/ha
(2,800 ft³/acre) of merchantable volume in 44 years (11).
The species is frequently associated with areas commonly called glades,
characterized by thin rocky soils and intermittent rock outcrops; soil
depth is difficult to determine because soil rock content and depth of
rock fissures vary (11,16). Soils on the poorest glade sites are less than
30 cm (12 in) deep, medium sites are usually less than 61 cm (24 in) deep
and have large crevices, and good sites have deeper soil. Arend and
Collins (3) developed the site classification system shown in table 1.
Table 1- Site classes for natural stands of eastern
redcedar in northern Arkansas
Site Class
Item
I
II
III
IV
Soil character
alluvial
upland
upland
upland
Soil depth, cm
61+
61+
30 to 58
less than 30
Soil depth, in
24+
24+
12 to 23
less than 12
Site index¹
Open stand, m
16.8
13.7
10.7
7.6
Open stand, ft
55
45
35
25
Closed stand, m
18.3
15.2
12.2
9.1
Closed stand, ft
60
50
40
30
¹Adjusted to
base age 50 years.
Eastern redcedar grows on soils that vary widely in acidity. Soils found
in natural stands range in pH value from 4.7 to 7.8. Although the species
will grow on sites that are slightly alkaline, it is not particularly
tolerant to higher pH levels. Eastern redcedar is, in fact, among the
least alkali-tolerant of drought-hardy trees and shrubs. Soils in eastern
redcedar stands tend to become neutral or slightly alkaline because the
high calcium content of the tree's foliage can change the pH of the
surface soil in a relatively short time. This condition also increases
earthworm activity, with an increase in incorporation of organic matter, a
lower volume weight, and an increase in pore volume and infiltration rate
(11,15).
Eastern redcedar grows on ridgetops, varying slopes, and flat land and
is frequently found on dry, exposed sites and abandoned fields. This
aspect also influences eastern redcedar development. In the western part
of its range, the species may be found on north-facing slopes and along
streambanks where there is some protection from high temperatures and
drought. Although the most desirable elevation is not clearly delineated,
eastern redcedar is found most often growing between 30 m (100 ft) and
1070 m (3,500 ft). It is notably absent below the 30 m (100 ft) elevation
zone in the southern and eastern parts of the species range (15,27).
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Special Uses
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Eastern redcedar is important to wildlife. As an evergreen, it provides
good nesting and roosting cover for many birds (18,39). Dense thickets
provide good escape cover for deer, and the abundant foliage, although low
in quality, provides emergency food for them during times of stress.
Fruits are high in crude fat and crude fiber, moderate in calcium, and
very high in total carbohydrates. Eastern redcedar fruits are eaten by
many wildlife species, including waxwings, bobwhite, quail, ruffed grouse,
pheasant, wild turkeys, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and
coyotes (20).
Eastern redcedar is among the best trees for protecting soils from wind
erosion and reducing the desiccating effects of wind. It ranks high in the
Great Plains shelterbelt plantings because of its ability to withstand
extremes of drought, heat, and cold (15). In Nebraska, eastern redcedar
was the most suitable species among five combinations tested for
single-row field windbreaks (42). The fibrous root system also helps to
hold soil in place, especially on shallow soils. Many varieties of eastern
redcedar are used as ornamental plantings (19,35). The species is also
ranked among the top five for Christmas trees (25). Eastern redcedar is
also important as a source of cedarwood oil, which is a natural product
for direct use in fragrance compounding or as a source of raw material
producing additional fragrance compounds (1).
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Vegetative Reproduction
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Eastern redcedar does not reproduce
naturally by sprouting or suckering, but the species may be propagated by
grafting, by air-layering, or from cuttings (6,15,33,44).
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Distribution
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Eastern redcedar is the most widely distributed conifer of tree size in
the Eastern United States and is found in every State east of the 100th
meridian. The species extends northward into southern Ontario and the
southern tip of Quebec (27). The range of eastern redcedar has been
considerably extended, especially in the Great Plains, by natural
regeneration from planted trees (47).
- The native range of eastern redcedar.
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Brief Summary
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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.
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