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"Juniper-Cedar" at Lake of the Ozarks: It's Eastern Redcedar

A Missouri resident describes a tree with blue juniper berries but cedar-colored heartwood. Brother in Colorado says "juniper-cedar" doesn't exist. Wants the correct name.

Common Name Confusion

"Juniper-cedar" is a local colloquialism. The tree is Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)—a juniper, not a true cedar (Cedrus spp. or Thuja spp.). Other common names: red cedar, red juniper, pencil cedar.

Why the Confusion?

Berry-like cones (modified cones) look like juniper berries.
Heartwood is reddish, aromatic, rot-resistant—classic "cedar" properties.
Regional names vary wildly. Juniperus chinensis (Chinese juniper) also grows in Missouri but has different form.

Verification Resource

Missouri Department of Conservation confirms: Eastern Redcedar info.

Key Takeaway

Scientific names (Juniperus virginiana) eliminate ambiguity. Your brother is technically correct—there's no species named "juniper-cedar"—but locally, the name describes a very real, common tree.

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