Download Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)

Stephen H. Brown, Horticulture Agent
Kim Cooprider, Master Gardener
Lee County Extension, Fort Myers, Florida
(239) 533-7513 [email protected]
http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/GardenHome.shtml
Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola
Family: Cupressaceae
Southern red cedar, red cedar, eastern redcedar, coast juniper
Crystal River, early June
Synonyms (discarded names): Juniperus silicicola
Origin: Southeastern USA: Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina
U.S.D.A. Zone: 8a-10b (10°F minimum)
Plant Type: Medium-sized Tree
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf Persistence: Evergreen
Flowering Months: N/A
Flower Color: N/A
Light Requirements: Full sun
Salt Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: High
Soil Requirements: Wide range, well-drained
Nutritional Requirements: Low
Major Potential Pests: Mites can cause stippled
and bronzed foliage.
Typical Dimensions: 25-40 feet by 20-30 feet
Propagation: Seed, cuttings, grafts
Human Hazards: The berry-like cones and
leaves are poisonous
Uses: Specimen, screen, streetscape, mass planting or windbreak for large-scale landscapes
Species and Varietal Identifications
In some literature, southern red cedar is considered a a distinct species (J. silicicola) in its own
right. However, it is treated here as a variety of
Eastern red-cedar, J. virginiana var. silicicola.
Palmetto, early November
The two have overlapping habitats, but one has a
more extensive range than the other due to its
greater cold tolerance. Eastern red cedar is more
cold tolerant than southern red cedar. The former
is found from Ontario in the north to Texas and
Northern Florida in the south. It can withstand
temperatures as low as –50°F. The latter, southern red cedar, is not as tolerant of very cold
climates and is damaged by temperatures below 10°F. Southern red cedar is not naturally occurring
north of North Carolina but is cultivated as far south as Southern Florida. Other differences between
the two are the greater height and ascending or horizontal branches of eastern red cedar, as opposed to
the drooping branches of southern red cedar.
Ecological Niche and Uses
Southern red cedar was virtually eliminated as an overstory species during the 19th century by harvesting, primarily for the manufacture of cedar chests and pencils. Live oaks and other associated trees were
not extensively cut at that time, and their competition presumably has retarded the reestablishment of
cedar-dominated stands. Now there are only a few scattered trees of lumbering size, mostly in locations
where it is not economically feasible to cut.
Southern red cedar was mostly restricted to the sand dunes and along brackish marshes of the outer
coastal plains. On the Gulf coast, it was often found in a narrow zone between the tidal marsh and pine
flatwoods. Southern red cedar is found in dry sandy and rocky soils to wet swampy areas. It is exceptionally tolerant of alkaline or high pH soils.
Over 50 species of birds, including bobwhite, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasant, mourning dove and cedar
waxwing use it as a food source. The tree provides nesting material and cover for wildlife. The fruits,
berries and leaves have been used for various medicinal purposes. An oil is derived from the wood and
leaves for use in insect repellents, furniture polish, soaps and perfumes. Because of its aromatic and insect repelling qualities and the striking contrast between the red heartwood and sapwood, the lumber is a
favorite for lining closets and chests. It is also used for posts, poles, shingles and carvings.
Crystal River, early June
Growth Habit
Southern red cedar is dioecious, having separate male and female trees. It is a densely coniferous evergreen tree. Young and mid-aged trees are likely symmetrical, and are commonly pyramidal or sometimes oval in shape. They are usually foliated to the ground. With age, the mature form can be quite
variable generally becoming more open, flat-topped and irregular shaped, especially if affected by
storms.
Pyramidal shape of young tree
Crystal River, early June
Mature flat-topped specimen
Palmetto, early November
Oval shape of a tree in fruit
Crystal River, early June
Mature specimen with exposed trunk
Fort Myers, late April
The tree can reach 45 feet but a more typical size is 25 to 30 feet tall. The national champion is in
Alachua County, Florida, and is 75 feet tall and 52 feet wide. The species bark is a reddish brown, very
thin, and peels off in shreds. Trunks of older trees become increasingly exposed and with old age highly
ornamental and a main feature of the tree.
Old specimen
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, early June
Crystal River
Orlando
Leaves and fruit
The leaves of the red cedar are simple, opposite or sub-opposite. There are two types of leaves on most
red cedars. The more common leaves are dark green, minute and scale-like, covering the twigs like shingles. On young growth, the leaves are sharp-pointed, awl shaped, spreading and a paler color.
The species is a diecious conifer with separate male and female trees. As a conifer, there are no flowers
but instead male and female cones are present on separate trees. The male cones are catkin-like, appearing at the tips of the twigs. They shed pollen so abundantly as to give the trees a yellowish color. Female cones are dark blue with a pale blue, waxy coating. The berry-like cone is round and less than 1/2
inch in diameter, enclosing one or two seeds in a sweet, aromatic flesh. They are a favorite winter food
for birds. Seeds are carried in the female cones.
Fort Myers, late May
Crystal River, early June
Propagation
The tree may be grown from seeds but germination is slow, taking as long as 2 to 3 years. Germination
is faster if seeds are laid as soon as the cones mature or if given a stratification period. It can also be
rooted from tip cuttings. A number of red cedar cultivars have been selected, but none are used much in
Florida.
Use and Management
Planted in full sun or partial shade, the southern red cedar makes a good background, windbreak, or
hedge and is an excellent specimen tree for home landscaping and parks. It is one of the best upright
screening evergreens for Florida and an excellent replacement for the invasive Australian pines
(Casuarina spp.) It is salt-resistant, making it ideal for seaside plantings. Although rarely used in Florida as a street tree, its wood is strong, the foliage is clean, and the fruit is small making it a suitable candidate. There are some nice examples used as street trees in southern cities. With proper pruning to remove lower branches, it should adapt well to streetscapes. Although it usually prefers moist soil and is
found in swamps, it will grow in dry, sandy, or rocky soil.
Fort Myers, early September
Insect and Disease Problems
Insects and diseases are usually not a problem if the tree is grown in full sun. Bagworm caterpillars web
the foliage and debris together to make bags up to 2 inches long. The insects live in the bags and emerge
to feed on foliage.
Juniper scale causes yellowed needles and infected branches which fail to produce new growth. The scale
is round and at first white, later turning gray or black.
The juniper webworm webs twigs and needles together, causing them to turn brown and die. The larva is
1/2 inch long and brown with darker stripes. The larva can go unnoticed in the dense part of the plant.
Mites cause stippled and bronzed foliage.
Twig blights cause death and browning of twig tips. The diseases may progress down the stem killing the
whole branch. Small lesions may be seen at the base of dead tissue. Prune out any dead branch tips. Dieback can occur from Kabatina blight in early spring; or from Phomopsis in summer.
In certain areas, three rust diseases seen most often are cedar-apple rust, hawthorn rust, and quince rust.
The most common is cedar-apple rust. On juniper, the disease forms galls and orange jelly-like horns in
spring. The horns are most likely to form following periods of rainy, warm weather. Spores formed in the
horns infect the alternate host. Prune out the spore horns when seen in the spring. There may be local
restrictions on planting this tree near apple orchards because the disease is more serious on apple trees
Southern red cedar is not tolerant of ice coatings. Expect dieback when Junipers are covered with ice for
several days. Removing the ice is impractical.
Crystal River, early June
Crystal River, early June
North Fort Myers, Mid March
St. Augustine, early September
Palmetto, early November
References
Dehgan, Bijan. 1998. Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida.
Gainesville, Florida
Dirr, Michael A. Dirr’s 2002. Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates: An illustrated Encyclopedia.
Timber Press, Inc. Portland, Oregon
Gilman, Edward F. and Watson, Dennis G. 2011. Juniperus siliciola: Southern Red Cedar. UF/IFAS,
Gainesville, Florida
Morton, Julia F. Trees, Shrubs and Plants for Florida Landscaping: Native and Exotic. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Tallahassee, Florida
Nelson, Gil. 2003. Florida’s Best Native Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professional. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, Florida
Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants. 2001. University of Florida
Press. Gainesville, Florida
Forest Trees of Florida. 2009. Bronson, Charles H., Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services. Tallahassee, Florida
Useful Links
South Florida Native Plants Fact Sheets
Seagrape Fact Sheet
Gumbo Limbo Fact Sheet
‘Shady Lady’ Black Olive Fact Sheet
Norfolk Island Hurricane Recovery Fact Sheet
Small Trees Fact Sheets
Flowering Trees Fact Sheets
Bedding and Color Plants Fact Sheet
Jacaranda Fact Sheet
Florida Landscape YouTube Channel
All pictures were taken in Florida by Stephen H. Brown.
This fact sheet was reviewed by Peggy Cruz, Lee County Extension; Celia Hill, Lee County Extension
Service; Karen Headlee, Lee County Extension; Holly Downing, City of Sanibel
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, religion, age, disability,
sex, sexual orientation, martial status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension
Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. 8/2012