Juniper Juniperus deppeana Steud.; Juniperus monosperma (Engelm.) Sarg.; Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little Cupressaceae

Species description Junipers are long-lived, highly drought resistant evergreen shrubs or trees, often with many trunks, rounded crowns, and well-developed tap roots. Alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana) has scaly bark, while Utah juniper (J. osteosperma) and one-seed juniper (J. monosperma) have looser, peeling bark. The leaves of all junipers are short, scaled needles. The small, inconspicuous flowers emerge on the branchlets in spring and may produce copious amounts of pollen. The fruits are small, round and berry-like, though they are technically cones. The berries mature to a purple-brown color and may be somewhat fleshy to very dry. The berries generally have a single, hard seed.

Natural and cultural history Junipers are native to the northern hemisphere, and likely the most widespread evergreen plant in the world. Indigenous people used juniper wood as fuel and the berries to some degree as a food source.

Planting considerations and propagation techniques Juniper trees may grow 20-40 feet wide and up to 50 feet tall. They have been known to live up to 800 years. The trees are highly frost and drought tolerant and disease resistant. They can grow in partial shade to full sun, and serve as a shade tree, windbreak, ground cover or hedge plant, however the roots and leaves both contain a mild toxin that can affect other trees and plants. Ideally, they should be grown at a distance from other trees. Junipers are wind pollinated and dioecious (trees may be either pollen- producing males, or berry-producing females). The trees tolerate a wide range of soils, however, they prefer well-drained areas and do not tolerate alkaline soils.

Water needs Junipers have very low water needs once established.

Care They may require pruning and shaping, only as needed to make the tree fit the space.

Harvesting and processing Harvest the berries in autumn or winter (October-December) after they darken. The berries are most commonly dried and then crushed, and used as a spice for vegetable and meat dishes. They are potent, and a little of the spice goes a long way. The may also used as a flavoring agent in some beers and, most famously, gin.

References and resources Johnson, K. A. 2002. Juniperus monosperma. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2015, June 17]. Plants for a Future (PFAF). n.d. Juniperus monosperma – (Engelm)Sarg. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Juniperus+monosperma Spellenberg, Richard, Christopher J. Earle, and Gil Nelson. Trees of Western North America. Princeton University Press, 2014.

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