Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
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General Information: Red cedar is the most widespread species of tree in the northern hemisphere. It is a small to medium-sized tree that can most often be found growing on sunny slopes, swamps, or borders of lakes and streams, but can also be found on dry, rocky hillsides. It can tolerate shade, but grows best in abundant light. It is a slow growing tree, but lives a long time. Bark is thin, reddish-brown, and peels off in stringy, flaky strips.
The leaves are persistent and oppositely arranged. There are two different types that are often present on the same tree. The older, more common type are scale-like and less than a quater inch long. The younger, less common type (slightly less than an inch long) are sharp-pointed with whitish lines on the upper surface.
The fruit is blue, berry-like, covered with a white powder, and are about 1/4" in diameter. They ripen in the tree's first year of existence.