How to Grow Burkii Eastern Red Cedar
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Burkii Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana 'Burkii'
treeBurkii is a columnar cultivar of Eastern Red Cedar with dense, fine-textured blue-gray foliage that deepens to purple in cold winters. This narrow, upright evergreen grows 20-40 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide, making it ideal for screens, windbreaks, and formal landscapes. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance.
When should you plant Burkii Eastern Red Cedar in your zone?
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Example Burkii Eastern Red Cedar timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Burkii Eastern Red Cedar
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Burkii Eastern Red Cedar
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Burkii Eastern Red Cedar dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; exceptionally hardy and adaptable
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Get my Burkii Eastern Red Cedar timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung tree with active root development, compact foliage beginning to show columnar form
Water deeply and regularly during the first 12 months. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base, keeping 6 inches from trunk. Avoid transplanting after establishment.
Juvenile Growth
3-5 yearsTree develops strong vertical structure with increasingly dense branching; foliage transitions from green to characteristic blue-gray
Minimal pruning needed; remove only broken or crossing branches. Continue occasional deep watering during dry spells. Columnar form develops naturally.
Maturation
7+ yearsFull columnar form achieved with dense, fine-textured foliage; color may deepen to purple-gray in winter months
No watering needed except in extreme drought. No fertilizer required. Prune only for shape maintenance or to remove damaged wood. Winter color intensification is normal.
Peak Function
20-100+ yearsFully mature screening tree providing year-round structure and privacy; maintains form with minimal intervention
Essentially maintenance-free once established. Monitor for cedar-apple rust spores in spring if apple orchards are nearby. Can live 50-100+ years.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick bags in winter; spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in late spring when caterpillars are small. Maintain tree health through proper watering.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. More common in hot, dry conditions; adequate watering helps prevent.
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Prune out infected branches 12 inches below visible damage. Sterilize pruning tools between cuts. Improve air circulation. Remove severely affected trees.
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Remove nearby apple/hawthorn hosts if possible. Rake up fallen leaves and cedar berries. Fungicide sprays rarely justified on mature trees; manage apple tree hosts instead.
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Spray with dormant oil in late winter before growth begins. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap during growing season if infestation is severe.
Uses
Holiday Decorations & Arrangements
HouseholdBurkii's fine-textured, blue-gray foliage and winter purple coloring make it excellent for holiday wreaths, garlands, and floral arrangements. Branches remain fresh and fragrant for weeks when cut. [source]
Wildlife Shelter & Food
WildlifeDense columnar form provides year-round shelter and nesting sites for birds. The small berry-like cones are an important food source for cedar waxwings, robins, and other birds. [source]
Natural Screening & Windbreaks
HouseholdThe narrow, dense columnar growth habit makes Burkii ideal for creating privacy screens, sound barriers, and windbreaks without requiring excessive horizontal space. Multiple trees create effective living walls. [source]
Woodworking & Traditional Uses
CraftEastern Red Cedar wood is historically valued for its aromatic properties, used in pencil manufacture, chests, and fine woodworking. The heartwood is naturally fragrant and insect-repellent. [source]
Traditional Herbal Remedies
MedicinalCedar leaf and berry have been used in traditional medicine and herbal teas, though modern scientific evidence is limited. The essential oil contains compounds like cedrol and thujone. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Not harvested in traditional sense. Foliage and branches can be cut for holiday decorations or arrangements after mid-November when color deepens. Berries (modified cones) naturally drop and attract wildlife.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite its common name 'Eastern Red Cedar,' Burkii is actually a juniper, not a true cedar. True cedars belong to the genus Cedrus (including Atlantic Cedar and Deodar Cedar).
- 🌱 The deep purple winter color of Burkii is not a sign of disease but rather a natural anthocyanin production in response to cold temperatures—this is why the color is most pronounced in northern climates.
- 🌱 Eastern Red Cedar wood is naturally decay-resistant and fragrant, historically used to make 'cedar closets' for clothing storage. This natural insect-repellent property comes from volatile compounds produced by the tree.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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