Cedar vs Juniper: What’s the Difference?

Cedar vs Juniper Quiz: Test Yourself

Five quick questions on cedar vs juniper. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.

Flip Cards: Quick Review

Hover over a card, or tap it on mobile, to see the key idea.

Gardeners, woodworkers and curious readers often stop to ask cedar vs juniper because many trees sold or sung about as “cedar” are really junipers in disguise. The confusion is old and understandable, since the two smell alike and share a similar evergreen look. This guide explains the difference between cedar and juniper, shows how to tell them apart, and clears up the common names that cause the mix-up.

What is a cedar?

A true cedar belongs to the genus Cedrus, which is part of the pine family. These trees are native to the Himalayas and the Mediterranean region, and they are not native to North America.

• They have needles, often in tufts.
• They produce small, woody cones.
• Well-known examples include the cedar of Lebanon and the deodar cedar.

When botanists say “cedar,” they usually mean this group. In everyday speech, though, the word is stretched much further.

What is a juniper?

A juniper belongs to the genus Juniperus. Junipers range from low shrubs to tall trees, and many have scale-like leaves. Female plants produce small, fleshy cones that look like blue berries.

• Juniper “berries” are actually cones, and they are used to flavor gin.
• Many junipers stay evergreen and aromatic all year.
• Several are grown as ornamental shrubs and hedges.

As a safety note, do not eat any wild berries unless an expert has positively identified the plant, because not all junipers are the same.

Why are some junipers called cedars?

Early European settlers in North America saw aromatic evergreen trees that reminded them of the cedars they knew, and they used the same name. As a result, the eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a juniper, not a true cedar. In Texas, the Ashe juniper is often called “mountain cedar” for the same reason.

The name stuck in everyday speech, even though the trees belong to a different genus. Many other trees also carry “cedar” in their names, such as western red cedar, and they belong to other plant groups. The label alone does not tell you the family.

How can you tell a cedar from a juniper?

Look at the leaves and cones. True cedars have needles and small woody cones, while junipers have scale-like leaves (on mature growth) and berry-like cones on female plants.

• Foliage: needles suggest a true cedar. Flat, overlapping scales suggest a juniper.
• Cones: woody cones suggest a true cedar. Blue, berry-like cones suggest a juniper.
• Location: a “cedar” growing wild in North America is usually a juniper or another look-alike.

Smell alone is not a reliable test, since both are aromatic. If you need a firm identification, a local nursery, extension office or forestry service can help.

Cedar wood vs juniper wood

Both are known for pleasant aroma and durability. Wood sold as “cedar” for closet linings and chests is often eastern red cedar, which is a juniper. Juniper wood is also used for items such as pencils and pet bedding.

If the exact species matters for a project, ask the supplier for the botanical name, because “cedar” on a label can mean several different trees.

What is “cedar fever”?

In Central Texas, people use “cedar fever” for winter allergy flare-ups blamed on the pollen of Ashe juniper, locally called mountain cedar. The tree is a juniper, not a true cedar. For questions about symptoms or allergies, a doctor is the right person to ask.

Cedar vs juniper: which word should you use?

Use cedar for true cedars (Cedrus), or when you are following a common name such as “red cedar” or “cedar chest.” Use juniper when you mean the genus Juniperus, or when accuracy matters. When writing for experts, give the botanical name.

Compare these pairs:

• The cedar of Lebanon has needles and woody cones. (A true cedar.)
• The eastern red cedar is a juniper with blue, berry-like cones. (Common name, juniper tree.)
• Juniper berries flavor gin. (A juniper, not a cedar.)

Common mix-ups about cedar and juniper

• ✗ Eastern red cedar is a true cedar.
  ✓ It is a juniper, called a cedar because of its aroma.
• ✗ Juniper berries are true berries.
  ✓ They are fleshy, berry-like cones.
• ✗ Every tree with “cedar” in its name belongs to one family.
  ✓ Many “cedars” belong to other groups, including junipers.
• ✗ Cedar chests are always made of true cedar.
  ✓ Many are made from eastern red cedar, which is a juniper.
• ✗ We planted a sedar tree in the yard.
  ✓ We planted a cedar tree in the yard.

How can you remember the difference?

Think needles and woody cones versus scales and berries. Here are three memory tricks:

1. The leaf-and-cone rule: Needles and woody cones mean a true cedar. Scales and berry-like cones mean a juniper.
2. The gin rule: If it flavors gin, it is juniper.
3. The origin rule: True cedars are not native to North America, so a wild North American “cedar” is usually a juniper or another look-alike.

FAQ: Cedar vs Juniper

Is cedar the same as juniper?

No. True cedars (genus Cedrus) are in the pine family with needles and woody cones, while junipers (genus Juniperus) have scale-like leaves and berry-like cones. Many trees called cedar are actually junipers.

Is eastern red cedar a cedar or a juniper?

It is a juniper (Juniperus virginiana). It is called cedar because of its aroma.

Are juniper berries really berries?

They are fleshy cones that look like berries. They are used to flavor gin.

What is mountain cedar?

It is a common Texas name for Ashe juniper, which is a juniper and not a true cedar.

How do you spell cedar?

It is spelled c-e-d-a-r. Sedar is a common misspelling.

Conclusion

When you’re weighing cedar vs juniper, remember that true cedars have needles and woody cones, while junipers have scales and berry-like cones, and that many trees called “cedar” are really junipers. Check the leaves and cones, spell it “cedar,” and share this with someone who loves trees!