Eastern Redcedar

Farther west it is replaced by the related Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper) and to the southwest by Juniperus ashei (Ashe juniper).

Juniperus virginiana, also known as eastern red cedar, red cedar, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, red juniper, and other local names, is a species of juniper native to eastern North America from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and east of the Great Plains.

Outside of its native range it is considered an invasive species, and it can be aggressive even within its range.

LC

On the Great Plains, expanding red cedar populations are altering the plains ecosystem: a majority of the region's bird species are not present in areas where the tree's land cover exceeds 10 percent, and most small mammal species are not present where land cover exceeds 30 percent.

It is found in eastern North America, from Maine, west to southern Ontario and South Dakota, south to northernmost Florida and southwest into the post oak savannah of east-central Texas.

It is commonly found in prairies or oak barrens, old pastures, or limestone hills, often along highways and near recent construction sites.

IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.