Common Name: Pencil Cedar

General Information

Juniperus virginiana is an evergreen tree with a dense, narrowly erect to conical, round, or flattened canopy; it can grow from 12 - 30 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It can be used as a pioneer to restore native woodland and reclaim polluted soils, and is often grown as an ornamental, where selected forms can be used as a ground cover.
This widespread species is increasing in abundance in many areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The essential oil in this plant contains thujone[]. Thujone is a GABA receptor antagonist which allows neurons to fire more easily. In larger doses this can cause muscle spasms and convulsions, and can also be toxic to brain, kidney, and liver cells.
There has been a lot of negative press regarding thujone, particularly in the mid 19th century when thujone was reported to be more dangerous than alcohol - since shown to be exaggerated; and reports in the 1970’s that it might have a similar effect on the brain to THC (found in cannabis) – since found to be incorrect.
Thujone is probably best known for its use in the alcoholic drink ‘Absinthe’. It is also found in the essential oils of many other plants that are used in herbal medicines and foods, including Arborvitae (Thuja species), some Junipers (Juniperus species), Wormwoods (especially Artemisia absinthium) and Sage (Salvia officinalis). There are some legal restrictions in various countries on the quantity of thujone that can be added to foods and drinks and these vary between countries.
Side effects from consuming thujone can include sleeplessness and anxiety but, unless the pure essential oil is used, the quantity of thujone found in plants is well within safety levels. Pregnant women, however, may be advised to restrict their use of thujone-containing plants.
Juniper should not be used internally in any quantities by pregnant women[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

Central and Eastern N. America from Ontario and Quebec, south to northeast Mexico, Texas and Florida

Habitat

A wide range of habitats, from old, eroded sandstone or limestone plateaux covered in open pine or pine-oak woodland, or stream banks of clay or sand, to abandoned fields and road verges and stabilized sand dunes; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Juniperus virginiana is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -30°c when fully dormant[]. It grows in areas where the mean annual precipitation can range from 380 - 1,520mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[, ] and succeeding on chalk[]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[]. They are also fairly wind-resistant[]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.7 - 7.8[].
A very ornamental and hardy plant[]. It is very slow growing[] and apparently short-lived in Britain[], though it is very long-lived in its native environment with trees more than 450 years old recorded[, ]. Another report says that plants live to a moderate age of 200 - 350 years in the wild[].
Cultivated as a timber tree in some parts of central and southern Europe[] and used as a Christmas tree in parts of N. America[], there are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[].
Soils in eastern redcedar stands tend to become neutral or slightly alkaline because the high calcium content of the tree's foliage can change the pH of the surface soil in a relatively short time[].
Closely related to Juniperus scopulorum, it hybridizes with that species where their ranges overlap[]. The main difference between the two species is that the fruits of this plant mature in one year whilst those of J. scopulorum take two years[]. This species also hybridizes with the related Juniperus horizontalis, but reported hybridization with Juniperus ashei has been refuted in subsequent studies[].
The crushed foliage has an aroma like soap or paint[].
Plants are resistant to honey fungus[]. In America this tree is a host of a gall-like rust that at certain stages in its life-cycle also attacks the leaves of apple trees[].
Plants are usually dioecious, though trees with both male and female flowers are occasionally found[]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A sweetish resinous flesh[]. They can be crushed and used as a flavouring in soups and stews[]. The blue-black to brownish blue, globose to ovoid seed cones are 3 - 8mm in diameter containing 1 - 3 seeds[].

A tea is made from the fruit[]. It is not very nice[]. It is made from the young branchlets and the fruit according to one report[].

Medicinal

Pencil cedar leaves were much used medicinally by the native N. American Indians, and also in folk medicine by the white settlers, especially to treat chest complaints and skin problems such as venereal warts and other excrescences[].
The leaves are anthelmintic, diuretic, rubefacient and stimulant[, ]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, general weakness and as a medicine for convalescents[].
The berries are anthelmintic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue and mildly antiseptic[, , , ]. They have been chewed as a treatment for mouth ulcers[, ] or made into a tea to treat colds, rheumatism, worms etc[, ].
The fresh young twigs are used as a diuretic[]. An infusion has been used both internally and as a steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism[].
The essential oil from the wood is an abortifacient, in some cases it has caused vomiting, convulsions, coma and death[, ].
The plant is said to contain the anticancer compound podophyllotoxin[].
The essential oil from the berries is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Composing'[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Some cultivars of this tree are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 90cm apart each way[]. 'Tripartita' and 'Chamberlaynii' have been recommended[].
A fairly wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting[].
The plant is both a pioneer and an invader of relatively open patches of eroded bare ground and is most competitive on exposed dry sites; disturbed areas including abandoned pastures and cultivated fields, eroded areas, and open woods thinned by timber harvest. Invasion into prairie grasslands is attributed primarily to absence of fire, and may be exacerbated by certain grazing practices[]. The tree can be used as a pioneer for reforestation projects[].
The tree establishes well on abandoned surface mines, agricultural fields, and logging sites, and is used to recover highly eroded, nutrient-poor soils, especially in calcareous conditions[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the wood[, , , ]. Known as eastern redcedarwood oil[], it is composed of cedar camphor or cedrol[]. It is used in soaps, as an insecticide and moth repellent[, ], a deodorant, in polishes, perfumery etc[, ]. Chips of the wood have been used as moth repellents[].
Various extracts of the plant, especially the essential oil, are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations for perfumery, as skin and hair tonics, and to mask the aroma of other ingredients[].

The leaves are used as an incense[, ] and are also either burnt or crushed and then scattered around as an insect repellent[, ].

The crushed bark can be used as a soft base in cradles[]. The bark has also been cut into strips and used to make mats[, ].

The red inner bark is a source of a red dye[].

The bark of the tree is useful as tinder in starting fires Boy Scout style[].

The wood is very durable, light, brittle, soft, easily worked, very fragrant, insect-resistant[, , , , ]. The wood does not shrink much on drying and weighs 30lb per cubic foot[]. The reddish wood is highly prized for cabinet making[], it is also used for fencing, the casing of lead pencils etc[, , , ].

Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration[, ]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[]. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/early autumn in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[, ].
Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[].