Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
DESCRIPTION: Eastern red cedar is a translocated species that rarely exceeds 30 feet high in Wisconsin. It is a coniferous tree with scale-like leaves and blue-black berries.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION: Eastern red cedar is native to eastern North America. It was an important component of cedar glades, which typically do not experience fires. Although its optimal growth occurs on well-drained, alluvial soils, red cedar is most competitive on dry sites. It is most commonly found in prairies or oak barrens on thin soils, old pastureland, or on dry, limestone hillsides where competition has been reduced.
LIFE HISTORY AND EFFECTS OF INVASION: Eastern red cedar was rarely found in Wisconsin at the time of European settlement. It occurred in remote, fire-free places such as exposed cliff faces. After settlement, fires were greatly suppressed, thus removing the primary limiting factor for red cedar establishment. In the absence of fire, red cedar can dominate natural communities. This plant will often form closed stands, excluding most other plant species.
Red cedar is pollinated by wind; male and female flowers are on different trees. The seeds develop and mature from July through November. Seed crops vary annually, with peaks every two to three years. Trees initiate seed bearing at about 10 years of age. Peak seed production occurs between 25 and 75 years. Scattered and long-distance establishment of red cedar is primarily due to birds. Most seeds are dispersed by birds like cedar waxwings, thrushes (especially robins), kingbird, and downy woodpeckers. Establishment of red cedar is slow because seeds are not produced in the first 10 years. However, habitat modification accelerates once seeds are produced and scattered, and culminates in a canopy of red cedar with bare ground underneath.
CONTROLLING RED CEDAR:
Fortunately, red cedar is very easy to control. The problem is not in the control methods, but in failing to recognize the consequences of doing nothing. Prevention is always the best control method. Monitoring red cedar establishment and removing trees when found will prevent the total loss of a natural community later.
Mechanical Methods: Because the bark is very thin, red cedar is extremely sensitive to fire. Prescribed fires are the easiest and most cost-effective control method for red cedar. Small trees are killed if enough fuel surrounds the tree. Large trees should be cut and burned, or the dead trees will persist for decades and cause shading effects
RSS