87 



RED CEDAR. 



Juniperus virgnjiana, Linnaeus. 



GENUS DESCRIPTION This genus comprises about 40 species of trees and shrubs in the 

 world, of which number 16 species are native to North America and 2 to Pennsylvania. The 

 Junipers are usually medium-sized trees or occasionally shrubs. This is possibly the most 

 widely, distributed genus of trees in North America, since there is hardly a state in the United 

 States in which some one or a few of the species do not grow. They have little value as timber 

 trees since only 1 species reaches a size large enough to produce timber. The fruit of the Junipers, 

 usually called berries, is the most distinctive character of the trees. These berries are in reality 

 cones, but have the appearance of a berry. In addition to the species described here, the Com- 

 mon Juniper (Juniperus communis, Linnaeus) is also native to this State. It is usually a shrub, 

 and found only locally in the eastern and northern parts of the State. 



FORM An average-sized tree usually attaining a height of 25-40 ft. with a diameter of 1-2 ft., 

 but may reach a maximum height in the south of 120 ft., with a diameter of 3-4 feet. Crown 

 usually deep, dense, narrow, and conic, but occasionally in old specimens broad, spreading, and 

 round-topped. 



BARK Rather tMii, often grooved, reddish-brown, peeling off Into rather long, narrow, stringy, 

 film-like strips. See Fig. 52. 



TWIGS Slender, usually four-sided and green as long as leaves persist, but after leaves have 

 fallen are round awl reddish-brown. 



BUDS Inconspicuous because they are small in size and covered with leaves. 



LEAVES Two kinds are recognized, scale-shaped and awl-shaped. Scale-shaped form Is typical 

 of the tree. They are about 1/16 of an inch long, ovate, closely appressed, acute to round at apex, 

 dark bluish-gr^en, sometime glandular on back, and four-ranked giving the twig an angular ap- 

 pearance. The awl-shaped, which usually occur on young trees or on vigorous shoots, are narrow, 

 sharp-pointed, spreading, scattered, not overlapping, opposite, in 2s or in 3s. 



FLOWERS Appear about April or May. Staminate and pistillate flowers usually occur on dif- 

 ferent trees but occasionally are found on the same tree. Staminate short-stalked, yellow, con- 

 sisting of about 10 stamens, and produced in great numbers. Pistillates small, with about 6 

 spreading, sharp-pointed, bluish scales. 



FRUIT A dark blue berry about J of an inch in diameter, often covered with a white bloom 

 and maturing at the end of the first or second season. Flesh sweet and covering 1-2 seeds. Fruit 

 often persists during the winter and furnishes food for birds. Some think it necessary for the 

 seed to pass througn the alimentary canal of birds to insure optimum germination. 



WOOD Non-porous; without resin passages; with distinct red heartwood and nearly white sap- 

 wood; light, soft, fragrant, weak, durable in contact with the soil, easily worked. Weighs 30.70 

 Ibs. per cubic foot. Used largely for fence posts, lead pencils, moth-proof chests and closets, 

 interior finish, furniture, rustic work, pails, and tubs. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Red Cedar, also known as Red Juniper, Cedar, 

 and Savin, can readily be distinguishad from all the other conifers of Pennsylvania except the 

 Common or Dwarf Juniper by its berry-like fruit, if present. The Common Juniper does not 

 have the scale-like leaves of the Red Cedar, and the awl-shaped leaves of the Red Cedar are 

 generally darker on the upper surface and not regularly in 3s. The awl-shaped leaves of the 

 Common Juniper occur regularly in 3s, are larger, sharper-pointed than those of the Red Cedar 

 and diverge almost Pt right angles. The Red Cedar also reaches a larger size and is usually more 

 erect, but bears less conspicuous winter buds. See "Distinguishing Characteristics" under White 

 Cedar for comparisons with this species. 



RANGE Nova Scotia west to Ontario and South Dakota, south to Florida and Texas. The Com- 

 mon Juniper has the widest range of any tree in the northern hemisphere. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Found throughout the State. Usually solitary and 

 scattered in abandoned fields and along fences. Sometimes in dense pure stands. Pure stands 

 occur in Franklin, Lancaster, Montgomery, and Bucks counties. Common on red shale soil. 



HABITAT It will accept almost any location from a swamp to a poor rocky cliff but reaches 

 its best development in the swamps and alluvial soils of the southern states. Limestone soil is 

 favorable to its growth. Abundant light is necessary for optimum development but it will tolerate 

 shade for many years. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES The Red Cedar produces a valuable wood but grows very 

 slowly. Other more valuable and more rapid growing species will thrive upon the same areas and 

 bring much earlier returns. It is also subject to the attack of numerous fungous diseases, espec- 

 ially when young. Many ornamental varieties and forms have been developed which are highly 

 prized for landscape work. 



