EASTERN  REDCEDAR

EASTERN REDCEDAR (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern redcedar is not a common species in this state. It grows on poor soils, gravelly slopes, rocky ridges, and on moist, sandy ground. It is found scatteringly in southern Maine and locally in Bridgton, Porter, Denmark, and West Gardiner. It gets the name "redcedar" from the red color of the heartwood.

It is very variable in its habit. Young trees have slender horizontal branches, and a narrow, compact, conical head. The crown of old trees becomes broad and much rounded. In this state, trees attain a diameter of 8-12 inches, and a height of 30 feet.

The bark on the trunk is light brown, tinged with red, and separating into long, narrow shreds on, old trees.

The leaves are scale-like, overlapping, about 1/16 inch long, dark green, and remain on the tree 5-6 years, growing hard and woody the third season. Branchlets appear square in cross section. Current growth and vigorous shoots contain sharp-pointed, awl-shaped leaves; the so-called "juvenile'' growth.

The fruit is berry-like, globose,l-2 seeded, pale green at first, dark blue when ripe, and is about the size of a pea.

The wood is brittle, fine-grained, light, easily worked and durable. The heartwood has a dull red color. it is valuable for pencils, fence posts, pails, and cabinet making, but in this state it is not sufficiently plentiful to be of commercial importance.