Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana is a native evergreen tree found across the southeast. It grows in full sun or part shade, and in soils that are moist to dry. It is drought tolerant. This is one of our few native evergreen trees that is not a pine tree- and it is identifiable by its leaves that are appressed scales (rather than the needles of pine trees). It produces small blue cones in the fall/winter that provide food for songbirds and small mammals (these cones look like small berries). This common evergreen retains its lower branches when mature, and lots of wildlife use it for cover. Juniperus virginiana works great when planted for screening or restoration projects.