If you suffer from “Cedar Fever” I do not need to tell you that we are currently in the allergic reaction season. The local plant commonly called “Cedar” is in the Juniperus genus. There are over 70 species of Juniperus but the common one found growing locally on limestone is Juniperus ashei.
Cedar is an evergreen tree with scale-like leaves. Juniperus ashei is dioecious: the male and female reproductive organs appear on separate plants. Thus it is only the male Cedar that produces pollen. Currently the male Cedars are a brown-gold greenish color as they are releasing the pollen. This year I can still find a few dark blue berries on the female plants. Later in the year, after the pollen has fertilized the inconspicuous flower parts of the female, more berries will be visible.
It may surprise you to know that Juniperus ashei is a native plant. Before the Europeans came to settle central Texas the regular natural fires kept the Cedar population located primarily in the protected canyons and arroyos. Without the fires, the Cedars can dominate the landscape. The best time to control Cedar growth is when they first germinate as they are easy to pull up. If a mature cedar is cut it will not spring up from the roots as many hardwood trees do.
Juniper wood is used to make strong lasting fence posts. The wood resists insect invasions. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is used to line linen closets and for cedar chests, as it repels moths and other pests.
The mature Cedar trees have shaggy bark. The Golden- cheeked Warblers use Cedar bark exclusively for their nests. The Juniper berries are eaten and dispersed by numerous local wildlife animals including deer, fox, raccoons, and birds such as Robins and Cedar Waxwings. Several native plants depend upon the enriched soil formed by the decaying needle-like leaves beneath the Cedar, including Madrones and Cedar Sages.
The mature Juniperus ashei should be recognized for their contribution and not cleared indiscriminately. Biodiversity is always best for an ecosystem. Leaving mature trees and harvesting monocultures of Cedar to allow other native plants to survive is the recommended procedure.
