AIC Garden Plants 

Eastern Red Cedar - Juniperus virginiana

The Eastern red cedar is a culturally significant plant used in ceremonies.   (Carol Rogers' Photographer) 

For many Native American tribes, including those in North Carolina, the Eastern red cedar is considered a sacred plant and is used in various cultural practices:

1, Purification ceremonies: The green twigs are often burned as incense during rituals and in sweat lodges for purification.

2. Medicinal purposes: Various parts of the tree, including the berries and leaves, were used to make medicinal teas for treating ailments.

3. Tools and materials: The strong, rot-resistant wood was used for making bows, flutes, and fence posts. The bark was woven into mats for coverings and bedding.

4. Spiritual protection: Some traditions hold that the smell of burning cedar drives away malevolent spirits. 

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-virginiana/ 

The American Indian Cultural Center selected a bent tree for a prayer tree to honor and replicate the Indigenous tradition of creating "culturally modified trees" (CMTs). For centuries, Native Americans intentionally bent and shaped young saplings to serve as permanent markers for various purposes. By incorporating this feature into a prayer tree, the center connects with the deep cultural and spiritual significance of this practice. 

The symbolism of a bent tree includes a spiritual connection: For some groups, these trees were known as "spirit trees" or "prayer trees," and were believed to lift prayers to the Creator. The final upward bend of the tree represents a connection to the sky or Great Spirit.

 https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-florida/