Page 48 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 48
tern Redcedar
(Juniperus virginiana)
Description
Eastern Redcedar grows up to
18 to 24 meters in height and
0.3 to 0.6 meters in diameter.
Eastern Redcedar is an
evergreen and has needles for
leaves. The needles are 0.4
centimeters long, shiny, dark
green and scale-like. Male
and female flowers grow on
separate trees. Cones develop
in the fall and are found only
on female trees; they are
round, fleshy and look similar
to blueberries. Cedar bark is
distinctive as it is very fibrous
in appearance.
Because its natural oils repel insects, Distribution and Habitat
the wood is used to make chests,
closet linings and pet bedding. Eastern Redcedar trees are found
throughout Virginia in all five
Despite its name, the Eastern physiographic provinces. They
Redcedar is actually a type of juniper. tolerate a wide variety of soil and
moisture conditions. They grow
in wetland edges and dry, rocky
ridges; they thrive on barren soils
where few other trees are found.
Role in Food Web
The berry-like cones are a favorite food for many birds. Eastern Cottontail
Rabbits, foxes, Raccoons, skunks, Virginia Opossums and Coyotes also feed
on the cones. White-tailed Deer browse the foliage as an emergency food
source in the winter.
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(Juniperus virginiana)
Description
Eastern Redcedar grows up to
18 to 24 meters in height and
0.3 to 0.6 meters in diameter.
Eastern Redcedar is an
evergreen and has needles for
leaves. The needles are 0.4
centimeters long, shiny, dark
green and scale-like. Male
and female flowers grow on
separate trees. Cones develop
in the fall and are found only
on female trees; they are
round, fleshy and look similar
to blueberries. Cedar bark is
distinctive as it is very fibrous
in appearance.
Because its natural oils repel insects, Distribution and Habitat
the wood is used to make chests,
closet linings and pet bedding. Eastern Redcedar trees are found
throughout Virginia in all five
Despite its name, the Eastern physiographic provinces. They
Redcedar is actually a type of juniper. tolerate a wide variety of soil and
moisture conditions. They grow
in wetland edges and dry, rocky
ridges; they thrive on barren soils
where few other trees are found.
Role in Food Web
The berry-like cones are a favorite food for many birds. Eastern Cottontail
Rabbits, foxes, Raccoons, skunks, Virginia Opossums and Coyotes also feed
on the cones. White-tailed Deer browse the foliage as an emergency food
source in the winter.
r 44 r
