Tree Facts #3 – Cedars

Everyone knows about Cedar trees… or do you? If you live in Missouri then you are likely familiar with the Eastern Red Cedar, often called simply a ‘Cedar tree’. However these, along with many other trees commonly referred to as ‘cedars’ are not cedars at all. They are junipers… just take a look at the scientific name Juniperus virginiana.

As far as “true cedars” go, there are only 2, the Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) and the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani). These are native to the middle east and western himalayas. Cedars cannot tolerate excessively cold weather; southern Missouri is on the fringe of their range. The only one you have probably ever seen around here is a subspecies of the Lebanon Cedar commonly called the Atlas Cedar (Cedrus libani var. atlantica) – sometimes planted as an ornamental. I actually have one in my yard (pictured) and I think it’s really cool.