By the way, pome fruits are members of the plant family Rosaceae, sub-family pomoideae.ĭespite the negatives just cited, the eastern redcedar has plenty of good qualities. In fact, it has been documented as a threat to prairie and scrubland ecosystems in states such as Oklahoma and Kansas.Īnother problem with the eastern redcedar is its role as an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, a Gymnosporangium pathogen that is destructive to pome fruit trees such as apple, pear, and quince. It would not be unreasonable to regard this plant as weedy and even invasive in poorly managed sites. The seedlings can rapidly take over a piece of land, making this tree equivalent to a “first responder” in populating abandoned properties and neglected fields.
It grows prolifically along fencerows, highways, and back roads, as well as in pastures and open fields that are not routinely mowed or maintained. This ubiquitous native evergreen is the most widely distributed conifer in the eastern part of North America. It has been snubbed over the years by tree aficionados, partially because it is so common.
To say this plant has an image problem is an understatement. Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar tree)
