Southern Red Cedar is a favorite for windbreaks,
screens and wildlife cover for large-scale landscapes.
Description
This medium-sized, dioecious evergreen conifer can grow to 50-feet
tall and have a trunk two feet in diameter. It has a conical shape, with the height of the
tree usually equaling its spread.
Leaves
The evergreen leaves are usually 1/32 - 3/16
inches long and are sharp pointed. They are opposite and whorled. On younger trees, the
leaves are slightly longer and awl-shaped.
Flowers
The Southern Red Cedar does not have flowers. This gymnosperm
carries its seeds in its cones.
Fruit
The blue-green female cones may be seen throughout the winter. Male
plants produce short, yellow, cylindrical cones that may be seen throughout the winter.
Bark
The bark is red brown and thin. It often peels off the trunk in
stringy shreds.
Landscape usage
Southern Red Cedar grows in a variety of soils and is highly
drought and salt-spray tolerant. It is important that the tree is not over-watered or
transplanted once established. It is used by wildlife as a food source and for
nesting/cover. It makes a wonderful living Christmas tree.
Interesting fact
The bark of the red cedar is good tinder for campfires. The wood is extremely
aromatic and repels insects.
