This section is from the book "Trees And Tree-Planting", by James S. Brisbin. Also available from Amazon: Trees and Tree Planting.
White Cedar.—Where Found and Soil Suited to its Growth.—Its Chief Uses.—Its Ornamental Value. —The Red Cedar.—Its Attainable Growth, Usefulness, and General Appearance.—Its Vegetating Properties.—Reasons for its Non-extensive Culture.—Common Juniper.—Its Nativity.—The Attainable Growth of Varieties.—Its Medicinal and other Properties.—How Propagated.— Care Necessary for the Protection of Young Plants.—The Cedran-tree.—Where Indigenous.—Its Antidotary Properties.
This tree is found in swampy ground all along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida: its chief uses are in the manufacture of shingles and wooden-ware for household purposes. I have seldom seen it advertised in nursery catalogues, and I am in doubt as to whether it would grow to any height in any other locality than that which it at present occupies. It is a very slow grower, and a very ornamental tree, which fact alone should entitle it to more consideration than it receives.
This tree grows to the height of thirty or forty feet, with a diameter of twelve or fifteen inches; it is used for posts, rails, rustic work, and ship-building, but more especially for use in the manufacture of lead-pencils and penholders. It has long, spreading branches that are sometimes longer than the trunk of the tree; others are more conical, but these are more generally those that are cultivated and placed in shape by careful training. It is very slow of growth, and as an ornamental tree it will not do, becoming at an early age ragged and unsightly in appearance. Seed vegetates the second year. Protect from the sun when it first grows. It will never be extensively cultivated for timber, on account of its slow growth.
 
Continue to: