Researching the Eastern Redcedar

About this episode

This episode discusses research on developing male-only eastern redcedar trees to manage their spread while maintaining their benefits.

Eastern redcedar is one of the most talked-about trees in Kansas, valued by some, frustrating for others, and expanding rapidly across the landscape. But what if we could change the way this tree reproduces? In this episode of the Kansas Canopy Podcast, we talk with Kansas State University graduate student Emily Rowe about her research exploring the possibility of developing male-only eastern redcedar trees. The goal: maintain the benefits of this hardy native species while limiting its ability to spread. While the path to male-only cedars has proven more complicated than expected, Emily’s work has uncovered important breakthroughs in eastern redcedar propagation and genetics. She shares what researchers have learned so far, the challenges of working with this species, and how this research could shape the future of redcedar management in Kansas and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered whether science could help solve the redcedar problem, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the research. Learn more about eastern redcedar: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3G3VtVcaCd4s8ehwgQWdWx?si=OVKRIsd8RBOJJWQ5dKRxgA Ode to Eastern Redcedar Art Project: An Ode to Eastern Redcedar | Facebook

People in this episode

Guest: Emily Rowe

Topics covered

• eastern redcedar
• tree reproduction
• genetics
• propagation
• Kansas State University

Keywords

• Kansas
• redcedar management
• native species
• research breakthroughs

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: the Kansas Canopy Podcast

Places: Kansas

More episodes of Kansas Canopy

• Discovering the Ozark Chinquapin · June 3, 2026 · 1h 28m
• Putting Kansas on the Map: GIS Tools That Make a Difference · May 6, 2026 · 38 min
• The Kansas River & the People Who Protect It · March 4, 2026 · 52 min
• Champions in the Field: Measuring Giants, Building Pride · February 4, 2026 · 50 min
• Investing in the Forest: Why Timber Stand Improvement Matters · January 7, 2026 · 30 min
• Building the Wildland Fire Workforce · December 3, 2025 · 48 min