Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar)

Native to North America, this evergreen conifer has a dense crown. Mature foliage consists of overlapping blue-green scales, while young shoots may bear prickly, needle-like leaves. Reddish brown bark peels in long fibrous strips. Female trees produce small, round, blue seed cones with a whitish waxy covering, and male trees bear pollen cones. Cedar waxwings eat the fleshy cones, and its foliage feeds juniper hairstreak caterpillars. The aromatic wood is used for posts and storage chests. This adaptable tree grows in sunny woodland edges, fields, and rocky ground and is planted for screens and wildlife shelter. Photographed in Colombia.