2 BULLETIN 1051, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
SOURCE, DISTRIBUTION, AND DESCRIPTION OF RED CEDAR. 
Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) , commonly known as Tennessee 
or Virginia red cedar, is one of the most widely distributed conif- 
erous trees of North America, occurring on dry hills or in deep 
swamps, sometimes attaining a height of 90 feet, but usually averag- 
ing 40 to 50 feet or less. The tree is distributed throughout all sec- 
tions of the United States as far west as the Rocky Mountains, 
flourishing under various climatic conditions. It is most abundant, 
however, in the region from the Ohio River on the north to Florida 
on the south and from the Atlantic Ocean on the east to Arkansas 
on the west. In Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina the red 
cedar occurs in large areas of nearly pure forests known as " cedar 
breaks." In these sections the most extensive manufacture of cedar 
lumber is conducted. 
In general, the red cedar is a straight tree, pyramidal in shape, 
becoming round-topped in old age, and has a tapering .trunk and 
shreddy bark. The wood is light, close-grained, compact, and dura- 
ble. The heartwood is red in color and strongly aromatic, while the 
sapwood is white and devoid of odor. 
USES OF RED CEDAR. 
The commercial use of the wood dates back to the seventeenth 
century. In 1632 Morton (12, p. 49-64, pl> 4&), 1 in citing the trees 
that are found in New England, stated : 
Cedar, of this sorte there is abundaunce; and this wood was such as Salo- 
mon used for the building of that glorious Temple at Hierusalem. . . . This 
wood cutts red, and is good for bedsteads tables and chests, and may be placed 
in the Catalogue of Commodities. 
In 1682 Gent (4, p. 63), in describing the resources of South Caro- 
lina, mentioned the presence in that State of odoriferous and fragrant 
woods, among them being the sweet-scented cedar and cypress, from 
both of which were made boxes, chests, tables, and cabinets. He 
further stated that : 
The Dust and Shavings of Cedar, laid amongst Linnen or Woollen, destroys 
the Moth and all Verminous Insects ; It never rots, breeding no worm, by which 
many other Woods are consumed and destroyed. 
In 1757 Peter Kalm (7, p. 264), in a report of his early travels in 
North America, .mentioned red cedar as being prized for its dura- 
bility. 
In 1776 Hunter (6) stated that the timber was very valuable for 
many uses and possessed a bitter resin which prevented worms from 
attacking it. Later, in 1786, Lamarck (9) stated that the wood was 
much sought in America for carpentry, construction of vessels, wood- 
work, and different utensils, because it was filled with a bitter resin 
which prevented its destruction by worms. According to Bigelow 
(1, p. 49^4, pi. 45), in 1820, the wood- 
is principally employed for posts in fences, in which capacity it proves more 
durable than almost any species of wood used for the same purpose. 
Loudon (10, p. 848), mentioned Juniperus virginiana as producing 
lumber which is "very odoriferous" and useful for cabinet making 
1 The figures (italic) in parentheses refer to "Literature cited," p. 14. 
