Eastern Red Cedar

Owl; photo by Brendan Lally

As you make your way back up to the West Pond Trail, take a closer look at the evergreen trees on either side of the trail. Although it is called a cedar, the eastern red cedar is truly a juniper. Eastern red cedar is known for its reddish, fragrant, and durable wood. The dense evergreen foliage of this native tree offers good nesting cover for robins, house finches, and mockingbirds. Cedar waxwing birds love to eat its blue berries in the fall. In winter, birds such as saw-whet owls roost in its branches. Eastern red cedar like these were among the first trees planted by Herbert Johnson. Does the scent of this tree smell familiar? These berries were historically used to flavor stews and marinades.