The confusion between trees commonly called “cedar” and those botanically classified as junipers is a classic example of how common names diverge from scientific taxonomy. Many North American species bear the name “cedar” despite not belonging to the genus Cedrus, or the “true cedars.” This naming error, common with native junipers, has persisted for centuries, blurring the lines between two distinct groups of aromatic conifers. Clarifying the botanical differences and historical reasons behind this misnomer helps to correctly identify these trees.
Defining True Cedar (Cedrus Genus)
The designation “true cedar” belongs exclusively to the genus Cedrus, which are members of the Pine family (Pinaceae). These conifers are native only to the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean and the western Himalayas. The recognized species include the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), the Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica), and the Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara).
True cedars are characterized by their massive stature, often reaching heights of 100 to 130 feet, and their distinct, broad, often flat-topped crowns. Their foliage consists of needle-like leaves arranged in dense clusters or rosettes, typically containing 15 to 45 needles on short, woody pegs. The seed cones are large, barrel-shaped, stand upright on the branches, and disintegrate while still attached to the tree to release winged seeds.
Junipers Mistakenly Called Cedar (Juniperus Genus)
The trees most frequently misidentified as cedar, such as the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), belong to the Juniperus genus, part of the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). These junipers are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere and found throughout North America. They range in form from sprawling shrubs to substantial trees, like the Eastern Red Cedar, which can reach up to 90 feet tall.
Juniper foliage often features tiny, scale-like leaves that tightly overlap and press against the branchlets. While younger junipers may display more pointed, awl-shaped needles, the mature foliage is predominantly scale-like. A defining feature of junipers is their cone structure, which is fleshy rather than woody. These cones resemble a small, bluish or purplish berry, often coated with a white, waxy bloom, and are dispersed by birds.
Key Identification Differences
The easiest way to distinguish a true cedar from a juniper is by examining the foliage. True cedars have long needles grouped in tight clusters, reminiscent of a starburst. In contrast, junipers display flat, pressed, scale-like leaves that create a dense, braided appearance on the twigs.
The reproductive structures also offer a clear separation. Cedrus produces large, woody, barrel-shaped cones that sit upright and shatter when mature. Juniperus species produce small, spherical, fleshy cones often mistaken for berries. Furthermore, the bark of a true cedar is smooth and gray when young, becoming furrowed and scaly with age. Juniper bark, such as that of the Eastern Red Cedar, is reddish-brown, fibrous, and peels off easily in narrow, stringy strips.
The Origin of the Common Name Confusion
The confusion over the name “cedar” stems primarily from the shared, highly aromatic quality of the wood. True cedar wood has been prized for millennia for its strong scent and decay resistance, famously used in ancient construction like Solomon’s Temple. When early European settlers arrived in North America, they encountered native trees like Juniperus virginiana that possessed a similarly fragrant, reddish heartwood.
Lacking familiar Old World species, the settlers applied the respected name “cedar” to any local conifer with durable, insect-repellent wood. This practice turned “cedar” into a generic, commercial term for wood suitable for lining chests, closets, or making pencils, regardless of the tree’s botanical family. This commercial convenience explains why the name is also incorrectly applied to other conifers outside of the Juniperus genus, such as Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata). This historical misapplication, rather than any true botanical relationship, is why a juniper is often called a cedar today.