SOUTHERN RED CEDAR

Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola), often called Florida Red Cedar, is a hardy, native evergreen tree that thrives throughout Florida. Here’s a detailed overview:

✅ Appearance & Characteristics

Foliage: Dense, fine-textured, emerald-green leaves that stay lush year-round; young foliage is prickly, older foliage becomes scale-like.
Form: Naturally pyramidal when young; can become more open and irregular with age.
Bark: Reddish-brown, fibrous, often peeling.
Fruit: Female trees produce small bluish-purple berry-like cones that attract birds and wildlife. ]

✅ Size & Growth

Height: Typically 25–45 ft, sometimes up to 50 ft.
Spread: About 20–30 ft.
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast; can add several feet per year under good conditions.
USDA Zones: 8A–10B (thrives across Florida).
Cold Tolerance: Excellent—handles freezes well.

✅ Care & Maintenance

Light: Full sun preferred; tolerates partial shade.
Soil: Adaptable—sand, loam, clay; must be well-drained.
Water: Drought-tolerant once established; water regularly during establishment.
Fertilizer: Apply granular fertilizer 3 times a year (spring, summer, fall).
Pruning: Minimal—natural shape requires little trimming; lower branches can be removed for clearance.
Spacing: Plant 6–8 ft apart for hedges; at least 10 ft from structures.

✅ Salt & Drought Tolerance

Salt: High tolerance—excellent for coastal landscapes.
Drought: Very tolerant once established; thrives in dry sandy soils.

✅ Landscape Uses

Privacy Screen or Hedge: Dense foliage makes it ideal for blocking views.
Windbreak: Strong and salt-tolerant—great for coastal wind protection.
Specimen Tree: Attractive pyramidal form for large yards.
Driveway Accents: Plant in pairs to frame entrances.
Wildlife Habitat: Provides food and shelter for birds and small animals.

✅ Special Features

Native & Low Maintenance: Perfect for Florida-friendly landscaping.
Christmas Tree Alternative: Young trees have a classic holiday shape.
Historical Use: Wood was once used for pencils and cedar chests.

⚠️ Things to Watch

Space Requirements: Needs room to reach mature size.
Dioecious: Male and female flowers on separate trees—only females produce berries.
Rootball Issues: Avoid circling roots when planting container-grown trees.