Eastern red cedar is a small to medium conifer with dense, often columnar crowns and scale‑like foliage. Female trees produce bluish, berry‑like cones that are popular with birds.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, red cedar commonly colonizes old fields, pastures, and roadsides, especially on dry, rocky, or calcareous soils. It is tolerant of poor conditions and often one of the first trees to invade open ground.
Uses and significance
The fragrant, decay‑resistant wood is used for fence posts and cedar chests. Dense foliage provides excellent cover and nesting sites for birds, and the “berries” are an important winter food source.