The Burkii Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Burkii’) is a distinctive and popular evergreen choice for landscapes. This cultivar offers a unique combination of aesthetic appeal and resilience. Its adaptability to various conditions provides year-round interest.
Key Characteristics of Burkii Eastern Red Cedar
The Burkii Eastern Red Cedar is recognized for its narrow, pyramidal growth habit, typically reaching a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with a spread of 8 to 15 feet. Its foliage displays a soft blue-green color during the warmer months. As temperatures drop in autumn and winter, the needles acquire a striking purplish-bronze or gray-plum tint, providing seasonal interest. This evergreen, a cultivar of the native Eastern Red Cedar, is hardy across USDA Zones 3 to 9. The plant’s dense foliage and fine texture contribute to its appeal as a year-round landscape element.
Planting and Initial Care
Successful establishment of a Burkii Eastern Red Cedar begins with careful site selection. This conifer thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and color. Well-drained soil is important, as the plant is intolerant of consistently wet conditions. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, sand, and rocky soils.
Before planting, dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball and of similar depth. This allows ample space for roots to spread and become established. Upon placing the tree in the prepared hole, ensure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. Backfill the hole with soil, gently tamping it down to remove large air pockets. Watering immediately and thoroughly after planting is important for settling the soil around the roots. During the first growing season, consistent and deep watering is necessary to encourage a strong, healthy root system. This initial watering period is essential for the plant to become well-established.
Ongoing Maintenance for Healthy Growth
Once established, the Burkii Eastern Red Cedar becomes a low-maintenance addition to the landscape. While drought-tolerant, established trees benefit from occasional deep watering to maintain vigor. The plant requires minimal fertilization; however, a slow-release evergreen fertilizer can be applied in early spring if needed.
Pruning is generally not required for Burkii Eastern Red Cedar, as it naturally maintains its pyramidal form. If pruning is desired for shaping, size control, or to remove dead or damaged branches, it is best done in late winter or early spring when the plant is dormant. When pruning, make clean cuts just above a lateral branch or bud to encourage proper healing and new growth. Avoid removing more than 10-20% of the plant at one time to prevent stress.
Addressing Common Problems
Burkii Eastern Red Cedars are generally robust and resistant to many pests and diseases, especially when grown in full sun. However, some issues can arise. Symptoms such as browning needles might indicate overwatering or insufficient drainage, which can lead to root problems. Conversely, prolonged drought can also cause foliage to brown.
Pests like bagworms can occasionally affect the foliage, creating silken bags on branches. These can often be removed by hand or treated with appropriate insecticides if infestations are severe. Spider mites may also cause stippled or bronzed foliage. Cedar-apple rust is a fungal disease that uses junipers as an alternate host, forming galls on the branches. Pruning out affected branches can help manage this issue, and avoiding planting near apple or hawthorn trees can prevent its spread.
Landscape Applications
The Burkii Eastern Red Cedar offers diverse applications in landscape design due to its distinctive form and year-round appeal. Its narrow, pyramidal shape makes it an excellent choice for privacy screens and windbreaks, providing dense, continuous coverage. The plant also serves effectively as an accent specimen, drawing attention with its unique blue-green foliage that transitions to purplish-bronze in winter. It can be incorporated into mixed borders to add structure and evergreen presence. Its adaptability to challenging conditions, including urban environments and various soil types, makes it useful in many landscape projects.