Identifying Cedar Trees with Orange Seed Pods

If your "cedar" trees have bright orange, fringe-covered seed pods instead of the typical blue berries, you're likely looking at a different species altogether. True cedars (Cedrus) and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) have blue-black berry-like cones. Orange pods suggest one of these alternatives:

Possible Identifications

• Cypress species (e.g., Arizona cypress, Cupressus arizonica) – have round, woody cones that can appear orange-brown when mature.
• Arborvitae (Thuja) – small, oblong cones that turn from green to orange-brown.
• Chamaecyparis (false cypress) – similar small, ornamented cones.
• Non-conifer lookalikes – some shrubs like sea buckthorn have orange berries but very different foliage.

How to Confirm

Examine the foliage: true cedars have needles in clusters; junipers have scale-like or awl-shaped leaves; cypresses have flattened, scale-like sprays. Note the cone structure—are they woody, berry-like, or papery?

Propagation Tips

Most conifers are best propagated from cuttings taken in late fall to winter, using rooting hormone and a well-drained medium. Seed propagation is possible but requires stratification and yields variable results. For exact clones of a desirable tree, cuttings or grafting are preferred.

For a definitive ID, consult a local arborist or extension service—they can match foliage, cone, and bark characteristics to regional species.