What Is It?

• I’m fragrant as well as tasty.
• Birds and people like to eat me.
• You can find me growing almost anywhere.
• And I can dress up holiday table fare.

The eastern red cedar tree grows everywhere in Missouri. In the winter, it attracts flocks of hungry cedar waxwings that gobble up its waxy blue berries. People like to eat the berries, too, mostly as a zesty seasoning in sauerkraut and stews. The red cedar’s boughs as well as berries smell like Christmas, and they look nice in a wreath or on the dinner table during the holidays. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/field-guide.