Not everyone knows it but, with the exception of several small islands of other species (Pinus strobus near Lake Michigan and Tsuga canadensis in a few spots along the Ohio river), our friend Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar) is the only conifer native to the Hoosier state. As a young man, I spent a lot of time out West living amongst the many relatives of the species in question - J. scopulorum, osteosperma, ashei, pinchotii, monosperma, and occidentalis - and got to know them well. Also became familiar with the needle- (vs. scale-) leaved species, J. communis, and the widely introduced cultivar, J. chinensis. Other than appreciating the great impact of the genus on our world due to its prolific and cosmopolitan nature, as a Natural Resources Management major, I learned that it occupies dry, rocky and hilly sites not well suited to prairie, and it is an increaser in overgrazed prairies. For these reasons, it is a valuable stabilizer of soil in challenging settings or disturbed ecosystems. Finally, as a lifelong closet birdwatcher, I never cease to admire the refuge junipers provide our feathered friends during storms and winter cold weather. Thank you, Juniperus!! Incidentally, while the plants are technically junipers (members of the Cupressaceae, or cyprus, family), they are commonly referred to in this country as “cedars”. The latter are actually members of the genus Cedrus of the Pinaceae, or pine, family, and there are none which are native to the New World.