Cedar vs Juniper

The word cedar causes real confusion. Eastern redcedar, common across the eastern US, is a juniper, not a true cedar, and extension and state sources say so plainly. True cedars belong to the genus Cedrus, such as the deodar cedar planted in warm-climate yards. That naming history is why nursery tags and lumber labels can mislead.

So this comparison is really true cedar against juniper, with eastern redcedar as the juniper example. Other trees also carry cedar in their names, and this page does not cover them. The clues below work for the two groups described here. Needles versus scales is the quickest test.

Cedar vs Juniper side by side

Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.

When you are looking at which

True cedar (Cedrus)

• The foliage is sharp needles clustered in whorls on short stubby spurs.
• You find upright barrel-shaped cones rather than blue berries.
• The tree is wide and spreading, with a weeping or layered crown.
• It was planted in a warm-climate yard and has a gray-green look.

Juniper (eastern redcedar)

• The foliage is tiny scales pressed along the twigs, with some prickly needle-like shoots.
• Small blue or silvery berry-like cones cover female trees in fall and winter.
• The tree is narrow and conical and grew by itself in an old field or fence row.
• Red-brown bark peels off in long narrow strips and the wood smells strongly.

How this works

The quiz compares the traits above and counts which group matches more answers. Leaf and cone type decide most cases, while shape and origin only support the result. Answer only the cues you can see on the tree, and choose I can't tell for the rest so a missing detail does not skew the result.

It scores true cedars (genus Cedrus, using deodar as the example) against junipers (using eastern redcedar). Western junipers, arborvitae, and other plants called cedar are not covered, so close results may need a local extension office. A tie means your answers were split, and a close look at one twig usually settles it.

Where these numbers come from

The figures and defaults on this page are based on:

• Virginia Tech Extension: Eastern Redcedar, Juniperus virginiana, Eastern redcedar is a juniper, true cedars are Cedrus; leaves and cones. (checked October 2026)
• Ohio DNR: Eastern Redcedar, Juniper foliage, silvery-blue cones, shredding bark, and size. (checked October 2026)
• NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Cedrus deodara, Deodar cedar needles, cones, size, bark, and hardiness zones. (checked October 2026)
• NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Juniperus virginiana, Eastern redcedar size, bark, aromatic wood, and drought tolerance. (checked October 2026)

Plant-identification guide. For a confirmed ID, take a twig with cones to your county extension office.