Evergreen - What is it?

[haroldl]

This tree (?) came up out of some pine mulch in my garden in the spring of 2011, so I moved it into this wine-keg planter. It is doing very well - but I don't know if it's a tree, or shrub or what.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

. - Harold

High-res images:

(I'm irrigating it with my window unit drain )

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2442679/Evergreen2.jpg[/img]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2442679/Evergreen3.jpg[/img]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2442679/Evergreen-close.jpg[/img]

[lorax]

It almost reminds me of a young Melaleuca. Is there any smell when you rub the leaves?

[haroldl]

It almost reminds me of a young Melaleuca. Is there any smell when you rub the leaves?

Not really any remarkable odor, just smells green...

Since you prompted me to rub some leaves, however, I did discover that the main branches have quite stiff, sharp needles

[hendi_alex]

Just a wild guess as there are so many similar evergreens, but looks like red cedar to me

[haroldl]

Just a wild guess as there are so many similar evergreens, but looks like red cedar to me

It sure might be...

Similar to the Eastern Red Cedar, but the needles are sharper and the branches and sub-branches are more alternate pennately separated - perhaps because it is young...

I found this:

[url]https://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/jusi.html[/url]

[kdodds]

You guys do get Red Cedar, but you also get Western Red Cedar, better known as Rocky Mountain Juniper, which it could be. It's a fairly safe bet that Juniper is correct, at least, but you may never know to species. There are many, many cultivars and hybrids in the nursery trade. In any event, don't rule out the softer, scales junipers. When young, many do have prickly needles.