GardenLine | Trees and Shrubs | Cedar or Juniper?

Another common query of Gardenline is where it is recommended to plant cedars and junipers. Sometimes, people are even unsure what the difference is between the two.

Cedar (Thuja)

What we commonly refer to as cedars are really not “true” cedars but arbor-vitae. The arbor-vitae are medium to very large evergreen trees with short spreading or drooping branches and thin fibrous bark. The branchlets and twigs are flattened in cross-section and are arranged in flat, usually drooping sprays. The leaves are generally less sharp than the leaves of juniper, more scale-like and more closely pressed against the twigs.

Cedars planted in areas that are more sheltered and out of direct sunlight will do better than those exposed to the elements. They should be planted on a north or east exposure and given plenty of moisture.

Juniper (Juniperus)

The junipers are evergreens with similar growth habits to cedars. Upright junipers have compact, pyramidal crowns and thin shreddy bark. The smaller junipers have a low, creeping habit of growth and radiating branches.

Junipers prefer sunny environments. A south or west exposure is generally ideal. However, they do tend show injury to the early spring sun when planted against structures with a southern exposure.

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Sustainable horticultural information, offered free of charge to the public with the support of the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division, the Department of Plant Sciences and the Provincial Government.