Tree ID.

jerry sundberg · September 28, 2018, 06:22:36 AM

While driving in Iowa SW part I noticed a lot of shrubby type of trees that look like Cedar at a glance but, when up close they have blue berries on them. Are these Junipers? Are the easy to grow from seed? They look to be Deer proof maybe.

Southside · September 28, 2018, 07:01:38 AM

Red cedar does have a blue berry on it, and yes technical they are actually a juniper, not a cedar. The berries need to be altered before they will germinate. In nature it's the process of going through a birds stomach that does it but soaking in citric acid can have the same result.

Digging up seedlings would be an easier way to get some if you want them. They are slow growing.

jerry sundberg · September 28, 2018, 07:13:40 AM

I would love to dig up a few but, Duluth is no where near them and with out permission I would be in trouble. If anyone has any that they could spare I would be willing to pay for shipping. I'm talking about six plants ( 6-8" tall ).

nativewolf · September 28, 2018, 07:35:38 AM

Somewhat deer proof, they are natives used to deer browse so the deer are unlikely to kill them. They will grow quickly in good soil/water conditions and get to 60' tall but that is a big cedar. Most top out at 30-40' and are very attractive, Easy to order online, you could probably get from a state forest service nursery for a couple of dollars for smaller ones. Deer browse the bottom 4-6' in SW virginia but in other areas they won't touch cedar at all.

Where's home? Also, they prefer not to have wet feet. They are drought tolerant though.

jerry sundberg · September 29, 2018, 06:04:05 AM

Home is Duluth Mn. I'll see if I can find some on the net.

lxskllr · September 30, 2018, 07:43:08 AM

They grow like weeds around here. I have them lining my driveway from plants I dug up at work. I also took to using them as jul trees. They don't have the traditional shape, but the dark green color is attractive, and they remind me of my uncle who used to cut them on his farm for his tree. One year I was cutting a tree with a handsaw right around dusk. Heard some noises I didn't pay close attention to, then heard a fairly loud hiss, and something with some size fell right in front of my face :^O It was a bat that was hanging in the tree. Wasn't expecting that :^D

samandothers · September 30, 2018, 10:35:22 AM

Growing up in southern Va we would always get a cedar off the farm. Sure smelled great, Christmasy. But man decorating was a labor of love. They would be scratchy for sure!

Clark · October 01, 2018, 09:28:02 PM

There are several growing along Hwy 23 between Fond du Lac and Gary/New Duluth. There might be a couple seeding in (I hope not!) that you could possibly...ahem...borrow. If not, it would be worth the drive just to see what they look like growing in these parts. You may change your mind.

Clark

jerry sundberg · October 06, 2018, 06:01:57 AM

I'll have a look see this week end.

moodnacreek · October 06, 2018, 07:27:21 PM

Here in s. new York state the deer only eat red cedar when they are starving. An interesting thing about this tree is that it grows 2 types of foliage on the same tree. When you cut one down the top foliage doesn't match the lower.

KEC · October 14, 2018, 08:30:00 PM

In Central New York, deer browse heavily (and thrive) on Northern White Cedar and various cultivars of it when it is cold and snowy. They also like Yew. Other Cedars, not so much. Most of the time deer leave whatever kind of Juniper it is that is planted in yards alone. When they do eat Juniper they are hurting for their preffered foods.