Do juniper trees have a short life span?
The Norway spruce is found from the central United States into Canada; despite being widespread, it has the shortest life span, rarely living longer than 220 years. Junipers are evergreen conifers that produce distinctive berries that aren’t fruit but are actually cones.
Do juniper trees lose their leaves?
“No,” said the Frost King, “the trees which were kind to the bird with the broken wing may keep their leaves.” So North Wind had to leave them alone, and the spruce, the pine, and the juniper-tree kept their leaves through all the winter. And they have done so ever since.
Are cedar and juniper trees the same?
Cedars and junipers are both evergreen coniferous trees belonging to the plant order Pinales. They have many traits in common and are easily confused, in part because some trees commonly referred to as cedars are actually junipers. To sort out the confusion, it helps to take a closer look at the defining qualities of each tree.
Is the juniper tree deciduous or evergreen?
The Blue Point Juniper is an outstanding upright evergreen, with strongly-colored blue foliage. It grows steadily, adding at least 6 inches a year, so it will soon be a striking specimen on your lawn, or part of the varied planting around your home.
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How can you tell how old a juniper tree is?
Generally, we determine age by taking a core sample of the tree. It is a device that is similar to getting a biopsy for a human in that we take a small diameter round of the tree, from its core to the outside. Then we can count the rings and determine age.
What is the oldest juniper tree in the world?
the Bennett JuniperOut in Tuolumne County, near the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, is a Western juniper tree known as the Bennett Juniper. It is estimated to be somewhere between 2,000 and 6,000 years old, and some botanists think it may be the oldest tree on the planet.
How old is the oldest juniper?
3,000 years old“It's estimated at 3,000 years old. Juniper Juniperus Occidentalis is the scientific name,” says Routt.
What is special about a juniper tree?
Junipers have the capacity to self-prune, shedding branches for survival, and its sap is rot resistant. Juniper berries and sap have been used medicinally in Chinese and Native American cultures and the berries supply food and shelter for native animals.
What is the oldest tree on earth today?
Great Basin Bristlecone PineThe Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) has been deemed the oldest tree in existence, reaching an age of over 5,000 years old. The bristlecone pine's success in living a long life can be attributed to the harsh conditions it lives in.
What is the oldest tree on earth?
Great Basin bristlecone pineThe story: In eastern California, a Great Basin bristlecone pine known as Methuselah has long been considered Earth's oldest living thing. According to tree-ring data, it is 4,853 years old — meaning that Methuselah was well established by time ancient Egyptians built the pyramids at Giza.
How big does a juniper Old Gold get?
3-4 feet tall'Old Gold' is a low-growing evergreen juniper in the cypress family native to Asia. It is a compact graceful shrub with scale-like leaves with graceful ascending branches and yellow leaves at the tips of new growth. It grows 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide.
Where is the largest juniper forest in the United States?
Stanislaus National ForestThe Bennett Juniper is the largest known juniper tree in the United States. It is located in Section 5, Township 5 North, Range 20 east of the Mount Diablo meridian, on an inholding in the Stanislaus National Forest in Tuolumne County, California.
How fast do juniper trees grow?
Most shrub and groundcover junipers grow 4 to 8 inches per year. For creeping or spreading junipers this means growth by width and for other bushes it means height. The Blue Rug can grow up to 12 inches per year. Juniper trees, like the Blue Point, grow about 1 foot per year.
What does the Bible say about the juniper tree?
Elijah fled alone into the wilderness and sat under a juniper tree. Tired and discouraged, he said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life” (1 Kgs. 19:4). Those words expressed how I felt that day—I had tried my best and had given my all; I too wanted the ordeal to be over.
Do juniper trees repel mosquitoes?
Perfect for mosquito season, Juniper Berry Essential Oil is a natural insect repellent4. It is also effective in repelling ticks and fleas for your pets.
Is juniper a hardwood or softwood?
Juniper is a dense softwood and therefore produces more heat than other softwoods. However, softwoods produce less heat than hardwoods. On average, a cord of juniper will produce 21.8 million BTUs, which is 13-percent less than a cord of red oak firewood.
What tree can live 1000 years?
the ginkgo treeSome trees can live for centuries or even millennia but the secrets behind their long life spans have eluded scientists. However, new research has found that the ginkgo tree, which can live more than 1,000 years, doesn't really show any expected effects of aging — they appear to be primed for immortality.
Are there trees that are 1000 years old?
Scientists have discovered the secret of how the ginkgo tree can live for more than 1,000 years. A study found the tree makes protective chemicals that fend off diseases and drought. And, unlike many other plants, its genes are not programmed to trigger inexorable decline when its youth is over.
Which tree can live for 3000 years?
Great Basin Bristlecone Pine located near Kyle Canyon in the Spring Mountain range in Southern Nevada, USA. Estimated 3000 years old but never cored. Dead.
What tree can live for 5000 years?
bristlecone pinesThe Inyo National Forest is home to many bristlecone pines, thought to be the oldest living organisms on Earth. Bristlecone pines are a small group of trees that reach an age believed by many scientists to be far greater than that of any other living organism known to man -- up to nearly 5,000 years.
How Long Do Junipers Last?
Junipers are quite amazing trees. They can survive in some of the harshest environments. They are drought-tolerant and sustain high winds, extreme sunlight, heat, and cold, freezing temperatures.
Early Stages Of Junipers
We’ll cover a few species of juniper trees in these next sections, namely, the western juniper and the Rocky Mountain juniper.
Aging & Maturation Of Junipers
Junipers are considered to be slow-growing trees, most growing around 1ft per year.
Uses Of Junipers
Historically, juniper was used during pioneer times for things like firewood, pole fences, corrals, and more. The western juniper is extremely durable, which explains its variety of uses.
What is the oldest Juniper tree in the world?
The Bennett Juniper – America’s Oldest Juniper Tree. As the snow begins to fall, the Sierra Nevada mountains of California become extremely inhospitable. Once covered in glacial ice during the ice age, the soil in many areas is poor, and even the hardiest of plants struggle to survive. Fortunately, one of the world’s most common woody plants is ...
How tall is a juniper tree?
The Bennett Juniper, however, has been grown to an incredible 24 meters (78 feet) over its 3000+ year lifespan, making it the oldest juniper tree in America. For reference, when this tree was just ...
What are juniper berries?
In the Bennett Juniper’s homeland of North America, the common types of juniper berries are sweeter, and were often not only used as seasoning but also eaten raw for sustenance. Juniper berries also have diuretic properties that were known to many Native American tribes, and were considered a kind of natural medicine.
How big does a juniper grow?
The Bennett Juniper may grow just 2.5 cm (1 inch) in a human lifetime, but it is just one member of a worldwide heritage.
What is the most common use for juniper berries?
Here are some of the most common uses of juniper trees and juniper berries: First up is gin. The clear liquor of gin and tonic fame gets its flavor (and its name) from juniper berries.
Is juniper a rare plant?
Although such large examples are rare, juniper trees are exceptionally common. In fact, they are the most common woody plant in the world, spreading across all continents on the Northern Hemisphere. As a result, it has been used by humans for countless goods, dating far back in history. Here are some of the most common uses of juniper trees and juniper berries:
When was the Sequoia tree discovered?
At this age, it more closely resembles its larger cousin of the same cypress family, the sequoia. Despite becoming well known since its discovery in the 1920s, the tree doesn’t receive many visitors.
What is a juniper?
Juniper. Juniper is any of the 50-70 species of aromatic conifers that belong to the genus Juniperus in the cypress family Cupressaceae. These conifers, when fully grown, usually resemble narrow columns. Despite being junipers, many coniferous trees like the Juniperus bermudiana (also commonly referred to as the Bermuda cedar) are called ‘cedars’.
What is the difference between juniper and sabina?
The section Juniperus, divided into several sub-sections, consists of needle-leaf junipers with the adult leaves arranged in groups of three while being fixed to the base. The section Sabina, on the other hand, includes scale-leaf junipers with the adult leaves arranged in groups of three or opposite pairs. Section Juniperus.
Do juniper plants have pollen?
Monoecious juniper plants have a higher allergic potential. Completely male junipers release plenty of po llen that become airborne in drier regions and may cause irritation of lungs and skin.
How old are Juniper trees?
She says Bennett is the man who determined the Juniper trees age. “It's estimated at 3,000 years old. Juniper Juniperus Occidentalis is the scientific name,” says Routt.
How old is the Bennett Juniper tree?
It takes a high clearance vehicle and good GPS coordinates to get to the 3,000 year-old Bennett Juniper tree.
Is a Bennet Juniper a male or female?
The Bennet juniper tree is actually a Female and she’s produced several offspring thanks to pollen from pair of oddly named male juniper trees just up the hill. “The two nearby are called Fred and Ginger. They look like partners dancing. I think they were named before they were sexed,” laughs Routt.
How much does a juniper tree grow in a year?
It only grows about 1/50th of an inch a year, so about one inch in a human lifetime. As fall turns to winter, the tree keeper, and his dog Augie will head home to Columbia, about an hour away,leaving the Bennett Juniper to battle the brutal high-elevation winter in the Sierra Nevada. But the tree is still not alone.
How tall is Bennett Juniper?
On the top, it looks a bit like a giant stalk of broccoli. The tree stretches more than 80 feet tall and is 22 feet around at the base. “It takes eleven adults stretching to reach around it,” Brunges.
Where do Junipers grow?
Junipers are members of the Cypress family and are native to Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Their 'berries', which are actually seed cones with very fleshy, ...
What is the color of juniper in winter?
Blue Star juniper dazzles with its brilliant color, especially in winter. Photo by Janice LeCocq
What color is Juniperus horizontalis?
Like many other junipers, its colors changes seasonally (see, we told you that they weren't boring!) so that it is a deeper blue in colder temperatures and greens up a bit in summer. Here is a shot of the same group in warm weather: Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' in summer. Photo by Janice LeCocq. 3.
What is the best juniper for zone 6?
Another blue carpet juniper is Blue Pacific, which, as a cultivar of Juniperus conferta is a slightly more tender selection than those noted thus far, performing best in zones 6-9. While drought-tolerant once established, it does better with somewhat regular water for the first few years and also appreciates well-draining soil. This selection has softer needles than those already discussed and has a slightly different sprawling form. It also holds its regular color a soft aqua with hints of silver, all winter long, and cones more prolifically than the other ground cover junipers. So many to choose from!
What is the best climate for Juniper?
Canary Islands juniper is a big tree. Native to the Canary Islands, and hence a subtropical selection, Juniperus cedrus does best in Mediterranean climates in zones 9 and 10. It is a large, upright tree whose upward facing branches drip with long, graceful branchlets.
What is a creeping juniper?
Blue Chip creeping juniper is a tough ground-cover with a softer blue tone than Blue Star. When young it resembles a starfish, and with somewhat diligent pruning it can be kept this way. Better to plant it where it has room to roam, and it will fill in and make a lovely, low-water grass substitute. Like many other junipers, its colors changes seasonally (see, we told you that they weren't boring!) so that it is a deeper blue in colder temperatures and greens up a bit in summer. Here is a shot of the same group in warm weather:
What is a gold cone juniper?
Now we're moving away from ground-hugging cultivars to an upright form called Gold Cone. This tidy shrub has a narrow shape, making it perfect for use as a single accent piece (think exclamation point) or in groups. The gold-tipped foliage is attractive both in color and texture. Tipping the terminal bud keeps it slightly shorter and squatter. Like most junipers, it tolerates full sun and tough conditions. One of the cold-hardiest junipers, this one will withstand the wintertime temps of zone 3, yet also performs very well in warmer, dry summer climates.
What is a juniper?
Junipers (Juniperus spp.) are a large group of plants notable for their evergreen, needle-like foliage, hardy nature and moderate to fast growth rate.
How tall does a Hollywood Juniper get?
This fast-growing juniper twists and turns to reach maximum heights of about 15 feet tall and grows best in USDA zones 2 through 10.
How tall does a blue vase juniper tree get?
Small Juniper Trees. Juniperus chinensis "Blue Vase" has a moderate growth rate and will reach maximum heights of about 10 feet if properly cared for, with widths of half the height. On average, however, it grows to about 5 feet tall. "Blue Vase" grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.
How tall does a Juniperus chinensis tree grow?
Juniperus chinensis "Hetzii Columnaris" is a mid-sized tree with a narrow, columnar shape. This fast-growing tree grows to a maximum height of about 15 feet and thrives in USDA zones 4 through 9.
How tall does a tree grow?
In general, a slow growth rate is equal to a foot of growth or less per year, whereas a tree with a medium or moderate growth rate adds about 13 to 24 inches of height each year. Fast-growing trees can grow up to 25 inches ...
Can juniper trees be planted in wet soil?
They can adapt to all soils, except those that are heavy and wet, so do not plant a juniper tree next to a source of water, such as a stream or lawn sprinkler. In general, these trees prefer soil that is on the dry side, so err on the caution of under-watering your junipers.
Do juniper trees need water?
They can adapt to all soils, except those that are heavy and wet, so do not plant a juniper tree next to a source of water, such as a stream or lawn sprinkler. In general, these trees prefer soil that is on the dry side, so err on the caution of under-watering your junipers.
Overview
Junipers are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on the taxonomy, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa, throughout parts of western, central and southern Asia, east to eastern Tibet in the Old World, and in the mountains of Central Am…
Description
Junipers vary in size and shape from tall trees, 20–40 metres (66–131 feet) tall, to columnar or low-spreading shrubs with long, trailing branches. They are evergreen with needle-like and/or scale-like leaves. They can be either monoecious or dioecious. The female seed cones are very distinctive, with fleshy, fruit-like coalescing scales which fuse together to form a berrylike structure (gal…
Classification
The genus has been divided into sections in somewhat different ways. A system based on molecular phylogenetic data from 2013 and earlier used three sections:
• Section Caryocedrus – 1 species with large, blue, woody, 3-seeded cones; native to the Mediterranean
• Section Juniperus – 14 species with blue or red seed cones, often with 3 seeds; 12 species native to the eastern hemisphere, o…
Ecology
Juniper plants thrive in a variety of environments. The junipers from Lahaul valley can be found in dry, rocky locations planted in stony soils. Grazing animals and the villagers are rapidly using up these plants. There are several important features of the leaves and wood of this plant that cause villagers to cut down these trees and make use of them. Additionally, the western juniper plants, a particular species in the juniper genus, are found in woodlands where there are large, open spac…
Cultivation
Junipers are among the most popular conifers to be cultivated as ornamental subjects for parks and gardens. They have been bred over many years to produce a wide range of forms, in terms of colour, shape and size. They include some of the dwarfest (miniature) cultivars. They are also used for bonsai. Some species found in cultivation include:
Toxicity
In drier areas, juniper pollen easily becomes airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs. This pollen can also irritate the skin and cause contact dermatitis. Cross-allergenic reactions are common between juniper pollen and the pollen of all species of cypress.
Monoecious juniper plants are highly allergenic, with an Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) rating of 9 out of 10. Completely male juniper plants have an OPALS rating of 10, and release abundan…
Uses
Most species of juniper are flexible and have a high compression strength-to-weight ratio. This has made the wood a traditional choice for the construction of hunting bows among some of the Native American cultures in the Great Basin region. These bow staves are typically backed with sinew to provide tension strength that the wood may lack.
Further reading
• Adams, R. P. (2004). Junipers of the World: The genus Juniperus. Victoria: Trafford. ISBN 1-4120-4250-X
• Farjon, A. (2001). World Checklist and Bibliography of Conifers. Kew. ISBN 1-84246-025-0
• Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4