I don't know too much about chinensis but virginiana can have two types of needles/leaves. When in the juvenile state, leaves can be quite sharp and prickly. Older growth becomes softer, more typical of juniper.

https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/juniperus/virginiana/

Bill, chinensis does that as well. Embothrium, I will crack open the berry and check the seeds then. But would this tree not sending up volunteer seedlings make it more likely that this is not a virginiana? Because I heard they are invasive and often reseed itself and I see seedlings all over the woods

Chinese juniper reseeds in my area.

"Because I heard they are invasive and often reseed itself and I see seedlings all over the woods"

J. virginiana's success as a pioneer species in the regions that it is native does not make it invasive.

Embo: "Cones of Chinese juniper contain 2-6 seeds and those of J. virginiana 1-2."

Per the Conifer Society (http://conifersociety.org/conifers/conifer/juniperus/) chinensis has "2 to 4 seeds", and virginiana has "one to three (rarely up to four) seeds". So seed count may not be a reliable way to distinguish the 2 species.

"Chinese juniper reseeds in my area." Seems to be reseeding and naturalizing around here as well, which makes me wonder if chinensis should be considered an invasive species?

Also, do the 2 species hybridize easily?

Funny this comes up today as I noticed half a dozen virginianus seedlings... and wondered if they would continue to grow when the trees above them leafed out and they were in deep shade. Anyone know? If so I would think their only hope of survival is to be transplanted to sun.

What a coincidence. I past many J.virginianna today on a stretch of highway for several miles. ime, all the ones I can see are out in the open, most full sun. There is one parcel of land that appears to be a pure stand of 20-30 ft. trees.

One thing that stands out in my mind are the ones growing where it would appear to be too wet for that species. But even those look to be on somewhat of a rise or raised spot from the surrounding area, one or two I've seen right next to a creek or river.

Bill, Juniperus virginianna aren't flood-plain trees, but they have some tolerance for wet soil if it's not wet all the time and/or have a rise away from a bank where the soil has some air.

Some trees can do the unexpected. I notice an area near me that's not a swamp, but still quite wet & has been colonized by Virginia PINES (Pinus), which I wouldn't have expected. Redbuds around here colonize hot, dry, rocky road cuts.

One Juniperus virginianna was growing on 3ft. high ridge of dirt that run along side a drainage ditch that was dug through a fairly wet low area. The tree was no doubt volunteer from seed and only 4 ft. tall at the time I saw it. I imagine if most of it's roots stay in the high ground ridge and the feeders can get water 24/7, it could end up a very large tree someday.

The other was next to a small river on a cut bank, about 2 ft. or so above the water. It wasn't low ground, the bank went up hill away from the river. That too was only a few ft. tall but looked quite healthy.