Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) My money Tree or An evergreen tree in the Cypress Family (Cupressaceae)

My first real adventure with Eastern Red Cedar happened on the farm I grew up on. It was located south of Lambertville N.J. on the Delaware River. Our farm was located on a mountainside and it had been clear cut more than 75 years before. Cedars were like pioneer invaders, Cedars would take over in areas were there were clear-cuts, abandoned fields, places where topsoil had been scraped off and generally were other plants had a tough time becoming established.It didn't mind clay or rocks and here the Cedars found a home. Over the years, other trees took hold and the cedars continued to grow. After many years, the oaks nearby began to tower over the Cedars and the Cedars began to decline. One Cedar caught my eye one day while hunting. I had heard that Cedars were valuable for wood to make cedar chests, closet linings, cedar shaveings, and fence posts. I knew the lumber was selling for a over a dollar a board foot. Forty years ago that was a lot of money to a farm boy and I couldn't let that get away. I figured that this tree had to be 25 feet up without a branch, and was almost 3 feet at the base. Now you can do the math, this was something I had to do. I went to the barn and got the chain saw and went up to the cedar and began to cut it down. It didn't take long and I realized that it was hollow. So I figured I would continue. Maybe the tree would be solid up a few feet and my money tree would be. With a big crash the giant was slayed. I proceed to cut up the top of the tree and to my suprise it was a bee tree. A colony of honey bees had made its home inside this tree. So now I began plan B. I decided to join the 4-H and this colony of bees became my first beehive. So now whenever I see a large Cedar Tree I think of my money tree.

Cedars serve as wind breaks, and are good trees to help with erosion control. Red Cedars are really in the Juniper Family and are related to Arborvitae and False Cypress, and are representative of the many landscape Junipers. Most full grown Cedars you find will be from 30-35 feet tall and with diameter of 15 feet. The best examples of full grown cedars are usually found in cemeteries. Here they are in the open and the grounds are maintained around them, they grow to exhibit their full form and devolpment. Red Cedars are a rugged plant. Cedars can tolerate fertile, sterile, rocky, sandy, clay, dry, or moist but well drained places. This plant likes to be neglected and will grow under harsh conditions including smog, reflected light and intense heat in urban locations. The only pests that I really worry about are bag worms. There are some mites, midges and bettles that can be problematic. Rusts, make the tree unsightly don't harm this tree but can effect other plants such as pines and apple trees. If you are looking for a hardy, native evergreen, for a constrution or landscape site that needs little care, this is your tree. You can visit Bill's web site at http://www.seedlingsrus.com

About the author:

Investor/Farmer tells the tale of his Money Tree