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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