Cedar

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic White Cedar)

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar)

Family: Cupressaceae

Location:

often found in dense stands with the lower branches dead due to lack of light
common in moist soils near streams

Characteristics:

only the Cedrus varieties are "true" cedars; the Cupressaceae family (Chamacecyparis thyoides and Juniperus virginiana) simply reminded settlers of what they previously categorized as Cedars, earning these species the same name
wide-spreading, horizontal branches; tend to curve sharply upward
flattened summit of full-grown tree

Atlantic White Cedar

Leaves:

scale-like and overlapping, completely covering stems
crushed leaves are very aromatic
Juniperus virginiana needles and stems are four-sided, with a combination of sharp and scaley needles
Chamacecyparis thyoides have flat, scaley stems and leaves

Fruit:

berry-like cones are somewhat wrinkled, becoming more so with age
change from blue berries to brown in the fall/winter season

Atlantic White Cedar needles

Bark:

reddish-brown
peely
comes of in strips

Uses:

The flaky bark pulls off in strips and provides excellent tinder and fiber for making cordage. The springy wood of this tree makes it ideal for use in constructing the bow of a bow drill, useful for igniting a pile of tinder or a bow used for bow fishing. A young green sapling can make an excellent hunting-bow stave because of its flexibility.

Atlantic White Cedar bark