Coupling an understanding of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana; ERC) cone maturation phenology with the timing of frugivore residence and movement can help define the likelihood of successful seed dispersal. In this study, we 1) use changes in cone size and color for tracking female cone maturation during the growing season to gain insight into the availability and abundance of mature female cones; 2) determined the viability and germination potential of seeds throughout cone maturation; and 3) assessed the potential for successful seed dispersal by examining the temporal overlap between forager presence and mature cones. Female cones followed a distinct maturation pattern, shifting from pink to green to purple and blue from early spring through late fall and into early winter. During this period, cone sugar content increased while protein content decreased. Viability of Eastern red cedar seeds was low, with less than 20% of seeds germinating. Wildlife camera observations from two field sites in Ohio revealed that seasonal variation in foraging activity varied across time (October 2019 – October 2021), with most foraging observations occurring between October through April. Further, resident and nomadic frugivores were more likely to be present and feeding on Eastern red cedar cones when mature cones are present. Based on mature cone availability and how it matches with forager presence due to seasonal variability in site residence and movement patterns of potential bird and mammalian foragers, we argue that frugivores primarily disperse ERC seeds short and intermediate distances, predominantly resulting in the outward range expansion of the Eastern red cedar from the edge of its range.