Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - March 17, 2016
From: Ocala, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Invasive Plants, Problem Plants
Title: Eastern Red Cedar Roots
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Would an Eastern Red Cedar root system damage underground irrigation pipes?ANSWER:
From the Native Plant Database on our website: Eastern red cedars (Juniperus virginiana) are evergreen, aromatic tree with trunk often angled and buttressed at base and narrow, compact, columnar crown; sometimes becoming broad and irregular. Pyramidal when young, Eastern red-cedar mature form is quite variable. This evergreen usually grows 30-40 ft. but can reach 90 ft. Fragrant, scale-like foliage can be coarse or fine-cut, and varies in color from gray-green to blue-green to light- or dark-green. All colors tend to brown in winter. Pale blue fruits occur on female plants. Soft, silvery bark covers the single trunk.
The most widely distributed eastern conifer, native in 37 states, Eastern red cedar is resistant to extremes of drought, heat, and cold. Red Cedar can be injurious to apple orchards because it is an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, a fungal disease. First observed at Roanoke Island, Virginia, in 1564, it was prized by the colonists for building furniture, rail fences, and log cabins.
Nan Hampton, answered a similar Mr. Smarty Plants question previously and wrote:
The US Forest Service database says: "Eastern red cedar generally has a shallow, fibrous root system, though roots of mature Eastern red cedar trees may penetrate 25 feet (7.6 m) and lateral roots may reach 20 feet (6 m). Eastern red cedar seedlings have penetrating taproots and may later develop a lateral taproot system. The deep, early taproot is usually replaced by an extensive, shallow root system with age. Even 1st year seedlings begin developing a long fibrous root system, often at the expense of top growth. The root system may be deep where soil permits, but on shallow and rocky soils eastern redcedar roots are very fibrous and tend to spread widely. The development of a lateral taproot with age may also enable eastern redcedar to persist on outcrops and shallow soils."
The US Forest Service Silvics Manual says that the soil condition determines whether the tree develops a deep tap root or spreading lateral roots. In thin rocky soil fibrous lateral roots will be predominant; but, if the soil permits, the root system may be a deep penetrating tap root. So, if your soil is good, you shouldn't have great concern about lateral roots.
From the Image Gallery
More Problem Plants Questions
Bluebonnets and weeds in Burleson TX
March 31, 2010 - I have lots of blue bonnets growing in my yard but they are overcome with weeds. What can I use to eliminate the weeds without killing the bluebonnets?
view the full question and answer
Controlling sandburs from Austin
February 24, 2013 - Hello,
What is the best way to prevent sticker burrs from growing in a rocky bed with no grass. There are many other plants we want to preserve and a drip line to keep them watered. We have 2 small k...
view the full question and answer
Methods of controlling poison ivy
April 19, 2005 - What do you suggest for controlling poison oak (ivy)?
view the full question and answer
removing paper mulberry shoots from lawn
August 09, 2011 - Dear Mr./Ms. Smartypants,
I recently moved into an Austin home with the backyard taken over by paper mulberries. There were originally 2-3 large bush/trees, but now that I've removed them I realiz...
view the full question and answer
Dealing with live oak suckers in Central Texas
March 05, 2015 - Hi, I have a couple huge Live Oak trees in my back yard. Trunks are 4' in diameter. These Live Oaks produce a lot of root sprouts/suckers. I had always head that a tree's roots feed on water/oxyg...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |