Common Cedar Trees In Minnesota (Pictures & Details)
Minnesota is well-known for its vast forests and breathtaking natural beauty. The cedar tree is a common sight among the many species of trees that thrive in the state.
Despite the name, there are no native cedar trees in Minnesota. However, the state is home to several species of coniferous trees known as “cedars” because of their similar appearance and characteristics.
In this article, we will look at the most common cedar trees in Minnesota, as well as their distinguishing characteristics. These trees are vital to Minnesota’s ecosystem, providing habitat for wildlife and contributing to the state’s economy through industries like logging and forestry.
So, let us begin.
1. Eastern Red Cedar
- Common Name: Red Cedar
- Scientific Name: Juniperus Virginiana
- Mature Height: 25 to 30 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Dark blue berry-like cones
- Uses: Interior woodwork, chests, closets, lead pencils, posts, and poles.
Red Cedar trees are the shortest cedar trees in Minnesota, growing to a height of 25 to 30 feet.
Red Cedar bark is thin and reddish-brown, and it peels off in long, vertical shred-like strips. The tree has two types of leaves: the more common ones are dark green, minute, and scale-like, while the second type is found mostly on early growth, robust shoots, or branches in deep shade.
They have an awl form, sharp points, spread, and are white on the underside. The fruit of the Red Cedar is a dark blue berry-like cone. It matures in one season and contains one or two seeds in its tasty flesh. Some birds enjoy the fruit in the winter.
The tree has a large conical head and a straight trunk that can be divided or practically prostrate in poor soil. It is most common in the state’s southern half, where it grows on dry, gravelly soil and rocky ledges.
Red Cedar wood is red, fine-grained, soft, brittle, fragrant, and extremely long-lasting. It’s used to make interior woodwork, chests, closets, lead pencils, posts, and poles. It is important to remember not to plant red cedar near orchards because red cedar spreads apple cedar rust, which will impede commercial apple production.
2. Northern White Cedar
- Common Name: White Cedar or Arborvitae
- Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis
- Mature Height: Up to 70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native to the northern part of the state
- Flowers/Cones: Small, oblong cones that ripen in fall
- Uses: Wood is used for fence posts, building poles, lumber, and shingles.
White Cedar trees are the tallest among cedar trees in Minnesota. It is a lovely and useful tree that can be found all over the state and can reach heights of 70 feet and have a compact, pyramidal shape.
Their bark is grey to reddish-brown and splits into long, narrow, shreddy strips. The branches are slender and practically horizontal, and the little scale-like leaves lend the tree a flat aspect.
When crushed, White Cedar emits a nice, aromatic perfume and has a strong flavor.
The tree produces small, oblong cones that are yellowish-brown in color and about 3 inches in size in the fall of the first year. On the terminals of branches, these cones grow alone or in enormous clusters.
The White Cedar is native to the northern half of the state and is frequently found in damp places. It can, however, be seen growing individually or in small groups as far south as Winona County.
White Cedar wood is light, soft, coarse-grained, and fragrant. It is frequently used in the manufacture of fence posts, building poles, rot-resistant lumber, and shingles.
Cedar Trees In Minnesota – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about cedar trees in Minnesota. These queries were gleaned from gardening-related online forums and threads.
What kind of cedar trees grow in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, there are two species of cedar trees: the eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and the white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). The eastern red cedar is a small to medium-sized tree that grows in dry or rocky areas, whereas the white cedar is a larger tree that grows in bogs and swamps.
Both tree species are evergreen, which means they keep their needles all year, and they provide important food and shelter for wildlife in Minnesota’s forests. Furthermore, the wood from these trees is frequently used for fencing, furniture, and other construction materials.
Where do cedar trees grow in Minnesota?
Cedar trees can be found throughout Minnesota, but depending on the species, they grow in a variety of habitats. The eastern red cedar prefers drier, rockier habitats such as bluffs, prairies, and hillsides. It can also be found in open woods and along fence lines.
The white cedar, on the other hand, prefers wetter habitats like bogs, swamps, and lowlands near lakes and rivers. It can also be found near streams and in mixed forests.
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Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Minnesota’s Native Trees, Department Of Natural Sciences, Minnesota State.
- Forestry Division, Minnesota State.
- Yard And Garden, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Native Plants, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Select Trees And Shrubs For Minnesota Landscapes, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Trees and shrubs for pollinators, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Department Of Agriculture, Minnesota State.
