Maritime Arboretum Seed Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

An evergreen conifer native to eastern and central North America. It has dense, scale-like foliage, reddish-brown fibrous bark, and small blue-purple berry-like cones. It is a hardy, long-lived tree that provides excellent shelter and food for wildlife.

Approximate Maximum Height: Up to 20 m
About the Seed: Clean 
Zone(s): Zone 2-9

Lighting: Full sun is best, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate light partial shade, particularly when young.

Germination: Seeds have deep dormancy and can be slow to germinate. They typically benefit from warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Keep seeds moist and warm for about 2-3 months, followed by about 3-4 months of cold stratification at 1-5°C (34-41°F). Sow approximately 0.5–1 cm deep in a well-draining medium. Germination can be irregular.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged during germination and early growth. Once established, Eastern red cedar is drought-tolerant and generally requires watering only during prolonged dry periods. Water deeply rather than frequently.

Photos Courtesy of Maritime Arboretum Ltd.