Cupressaceae
Juniperus scopulorum
Rocky Mountain Juniper
Tough as the rugged American West, this juniper is the parent of many varieties that share its resilient nature in the face of adverse conditions. It is a slow growing evergreen tree native to a huge range from Mexico north to Canada, concentrated primarily in the Rocky Mountain states and intermountain West. It is most often found on rocky soils lower elevation of foothills. Fine scaled foliage is olive green and held lightly for an open habit and irregular form.
This plant is diecious, bearing pollen on male plants and cones on the females. Pollen is shed in early spring; eighteen months later the pale blue female cones are ready to release their seed. Many of the named varieties are male clones. This is a popular choice for naturalized plantings in open space, green belts and highway verges where they adapt to most dry climate conditions. This makes a valuable high desert wind break and privacy screen when planted in windrows or added into a mixed shelter belt. Few trees work as well in the ranch setting and may also be valuable in mountain resort communities as a versatile problem solver.
7 - 1
3 - 7
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
Full Sun
0'-50' / 0.0m - 15.2m
0'-20' / 0.0m - 6.1m
Spring
Western United States, Canada, Mexico
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Pollution, Drought, Salt
Medium
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Pyramidal
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Blue
Gray Green
Olive, Gray Green
Brown
No
Yes
Fine
Matte
Exfoliating
Foundation, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees