How To Care For Your Eastern Red Cedar Bonsai Tree

Juniperus Virginiana Bonsai Care

About The Eastern Red Cedar Bonsai Tree

The Eastern Red Cedar, or Virginia Juniper (juniperus virginiana), is actually a Juniper species that is a native to the Eastern United States.  It can be found from southeastern Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico - always East of the Great Plains.

It is known to grow quite tall, quite thick, and has a beautiful, peeling red bark.  Averaging 16-66 feet tall, depending on the environment.

The largest Eastern Red Cedar alive in nature is 89 feet tall!

And, like other cedars, the Eastern Red Cedar is a cone bearing evergreen.

Placement

Like most cedar trees, an eastern red cedar bonsai should remain outdoors all year long.

It must stay cool or cold during the winter (about 3 months), but should be protected from harsh freezes.  In the late fall, protect your tree by burying your tree, or mulch over the pot in the ground. The tree should be protected from strong wind and sun (but not snow or rain) throughout the winter.  If you must, it can be placed in an unheated garage or shed.

Do not forget to water your tree in the winter!

In the early spring, when the chance of freezing is gone, it can be placed back in its normal location.

For the rest of the year, the tree should be outside with a few hours of sun (morning sun, with afternoon shade is best.)

Watering

Never let the soil completely dry out.  Whenever the soil seems dry, thoroughly water your tree until the water runs clear from the bottom.  In the growing season, this can be daily.

If you need help, a good moisture meter will guide you.

Humidity

If you ever need to take your eastern red cedar bonsai tree inside, including into a garage for the winter, using a humidity tray is recommended.  It will prevent the water from running on the floor, and can help keep the tree somewhat moist in the dry season.

Fertilizing

Since your eastern red cedar bonsai is in a small pot, and not the ground, it needs nutrients.  A slow release (pellet based) fertilizer is perfect for this, and can be added sparingly every 1-2 months during the growing season.

Pruning & Trimming

Trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point that looks good to you — but never remove all of the new growth.

A regular trim will help keep your eastern red cedar bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.

Repotting

Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, eastern red cedar, when its root system has filled the pot.  If you can clearly see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to repot your bonsai.

Generally, this means every 2-3 years for a deciduous tree and every 4-5 years for an evergreen.

Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.

The cedar bonsai tree, along with all of its soil, should be removed from the pot.  From there, you can trim away no more than 1/3rd of the root mass (1/4th is preferred.) 

Then you can repot the tree in the same pot, or give it a newer / bigger pot to thrive in.

After repotting, your eastern red cedar bonsai should be thoroughly watered.

Diseases, Insects & Other Pests

Your eastern red cedar bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal eastern red cedar tree.  Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.