Ashe's Juniper Species
Juniper
Junipers are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Afr…
Full Answer
Where do Ashe juniper trees grow?
Biology and ecology of Ashe juniper. Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei Buchholz)(1) is found from southern Missouri, through Arkansas into Oklahoma, across central Texas and into Mexico and Guatemala.
Is Ashe juniper a dioecious?
Ashe juniper (3) is an evergreen, dioecious (separate male and female plants) shrub or small tree that is usually less than 6 m in height at maturity. It is non-sprouting, typically multistemmed, and has a broadly globular growth form that usually branches near the base.
What is the problem with Ashe juniper?
Increasing density of Ashe juniper reduces grazeable areas for livestock and many species of wildlife because of its low forage value. It significantly reduces the production and diversity of associated plant species (Blomquist 1990, Fuhlendorf 1992, Yager 1993, Fuhlendorf and Smeins 1997).
Is Ashe juniper an invasive species?
Despite being native to Texas, ashe juniper is often considered an invasive species and weed by many landowners and ranchers. It is commonly believed that they use more water than live oaks, but more recent research suggests the reverse. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Ashe juniper thrives on ranches, as cattle avoid the bitter-tasting seedlings.
Is juniper a Gymnosperm?
Juniperus communis L. (Cupressaceae) Common juniper is a gymnosperm. It is the most widely distributed woody plant on the planet.
Is a juniper tree a gymnosperm or angiosperm?
Junipers are gymnosperms, which means they have seeds, but no flowers or fruits.
How do you identify Ashe juniper?
Its bark is reddish-brown and peels into long strips. Male trees have small green or brown pollen cones. Female trees have blue juniper “berries.”
What type of tree is a juniper?
juniper, (genus Juniperus), genus of about 60 to 70 species of aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. A number of species are cultivated as ornamentals and are useful for their timber.
How do you tell if a tree is a gymnosperm?
Gymnosperms usually have needles that stay green throughout the year. Examples are pines, cedars, spruces and firs. Some gymnosperms do drop their leaves - ginkgo, dawn redwood, and baldcypress, to name a few.
Are all trees gymnosperms?
Gymnosperms are woody plants, either shrubs, trees, or, rarely, vines (some gnetophytes). They differ from flowering plants in that the seeds are not enclosed in an ovary but are exposed within any of a variety of structures, the most familiar being cones.
Are Ashe juniper berries edible?
Most importantly, the fruit of Ashe and red berry juniper is quite edible, the red berry juniper is especially tasty.
Can you cook with Ashe juniper wood?
There are many wonderful qualities about Ashe Juniper in spite of the fact that some people suffer from “cedar fever,” a winter allergy that coincides with its pollen production. Ashe Juniper has ecological benefits, is ornamental and can be used in foods.
How fast do Ashe juniper trees grow?
It can take 10 to 40 years for Ashe's juniper to establish stands that are over 4 feet (1.2 m) tall [33,50].
Is juniper a conifer?
Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae.
What are the types of junipers?
Common juniperJuniperus horizontalisJuniperus sabinaRocky Mountain juniperJuniperus chinensisEastern red cedarJuniper/Lower classifications
What family is juniper in?
Cupressac...Juniperac...Juniper/Family
How do you tell if a plants is angiosperm or gymnosperm?
Gymnosperms. Angiosperms, also called flowering plants, have seeds that are enclosed within an ovary (usually a fruit), while gymnosperms have no flowers or fruits, and have unenclosed or “naked” seeds on the surface of scales or leaves. Gymnosperm seeds are often configured as cones.
Is a maple tree an angiosperm or gymnosperm?
angiospermsBroadleaf species such as oak, hickory, ash, maple, walnut, etc. are angiosperms. Needle-leaf species such as pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, baldcypress, larch, etc. are gymnosperms.
What plant is a gymnosperm?
Gymnosperms are seed-bearing vascular plants, such as cycads, ginkgo, yews and conifers, in which the ovules or seeds are not enclosed in an ovary. The word "gymnosperm" comes from the Greek word gymnospermos, meaning "naked seeds".
Are all evergreens gymnosperms?
Most gymnosperms are evergreen. Gymnosperms include conifers, cycads and the ginkgo.
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Ashe's Juniper Species Location
The shaded areas on the map indicates where the species has been observed in the United States. Click the map to see a full scale version of these allergy areas.
How tall does an ashe juniper get?
The largest areas are in central Texas, where extensive stands occur. Ashe juniper grows up to 10 m (33 ft) tall, and over time can reach 15 m (49 ft), and provides erosion control and year-round shade for wildlife and livestock . The feathery foliage grows in dense sprays, bright green in color.
What did Spanish explorers use ashe junipers for?
Texas. Spanish explorers who arrived in what is now Texas in the mid-18th century built Hill Country missions using ashe junipers for roof beams. Poor land management, due to decades of clearcutting and overgrazing, led to soil erosion and a preponderance of caliche.
What are old growth junipers used for?
Over 100 years ago, most old-growth Ashe junipers were cut and used not only for fence posts, but also for foundation piers, telegraph and telephone poles, roof framing, and railroad ties. The berry-like cones are eaten by a number of wildlife.
What is the name of the forester named Ashei?
The specific name ashei pays homage to American forester and botanist William Willard Ashe.
Where does Juniperus ashei come from?
Juniperus ashei ( Ashe juniper, Mountain Cedar, Blueberry Juniper, Post Cedar, or just Cedar) is a drought -tolerant evergreen tree, native from northeastern Mexico and the south-central United States to southern Missouri.
How long are the leaves of a sage?
The leaves are scale-like, 2 to 5 mm (0.079 to 0.197 in) long, and produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots. It is a dioecious species, with separate male and female plants. The seed cones are round, 3 to 5 mm (0.12 to 0.20 in) long, and soft, pulpy and berry -like, green at first, maturing purple about 8 months after pollination.
Is Ashe Juniper a weed?
Despite being native to Texas , ashe juniper is often considered an invasive species and weed by many landowners and ranchers. It's commonly believed that they use more water than live oaks, but more recent research suggests the reverse. Ashe juniper thrives on ranches, as cattle avoid the bitter-tasting seedlings.
How does Ashe Juniper affect wildlife?
Ashe juniper significantly alters the composition and structure of rangeland plant communities. Increasing density of Ashe juniper reduces grazeable areas for livestock and many species of wildlife because of its low forage value. It significantly reduces the production and diversity of associated plant species (Blomquist 1990, Fuhlendorf 1992, Yager 1993, Fuhlendorf and Smeins 1997). Additionally, growth of Ashe juniper in the immediate vicinity of more desirable woody species such as live oak, not only denies browsing animals access to these species but may in time cause mortality of the desired species (Rykiel and Cook 1988). Ashe juniper does, however, serve as cover and food for many wildlife species. Deer and domestic livestock may consume large quantities of berries, particularly when other forages are of limited availability or quality. Bark from certain size classes of Ashe juniper is apparently essential as nesting material for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler ( Dendroica chrysoparia) (Kroll 1980). Ashe juniper may influence the hydrology of an area when it grows in abundance. Alternatively, it may limit soil erosion on many sites including steep slopes of canyons where other vegetation cover cannot grow or is sparse (Wright et al. 1975, Marsh and Marsh 1993).
Why are juniper trees growing?
The exact cause of increase in Ashe juniper is difficult to determine. Overgrazing by livestock, which reduces herbaceous plant competition for establishing juniper seedlings is frequently considered a factor. Purposeful or inadvertent prevention of naturally occurring fires, along with reduced fuel loads due to grazing, have also had an influence. Since this species does not sprout from the base when it is topkilled, it is readily controlled by fire if sufficient fuel is available and if the plants are burned at less than mature size. Wink and Wright (1973) found that 99% of Ashe juniper plants less than 1.8 m tall (2) were killed with a fine fuel (grass) load of 1500 kg/ha or more. As the trees become larger, the denuded area beneath their canopy expands and it becomes increasingly difficult to ignite the plants or to move the fire to the fire-sensitive central stem (Dalrymple 1969). Periodic droughts, particularly when associated with overgrazing, may also play a role in their spread. The weakened, open herbaceous cover could be less resistant to juniper invasion following droughts when favorable rainfall conditions return. On the other hand, long-term droughts, such as the one of the 1950’s, can cause extensive mortality of large, mature, Ashe juniper, although, smaller size classes apparently survive droughts better than associated species such as live oak ( Quercus virginiana Mill.) and shin oak ( Q. pungens Liebm. var. vaseyana (Buckl.) C.H. Muller) (Merrill and Young 1959). Historical soil erosion due to overgrazing, droughts and other factors may increase the heterogeneity of sites making them more susceptible to woody plant invasion. Documented increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide since the 1850’s, which may favor growth conditions for juniper and other woody species, compared to the warm season grasses, may also be a factor (Emanuel et al. 1985). As with most ecological phenomena, the increase of Ashe juniper is most probably an interaction of all these factors (Smeins et al., this volume).
How does Ashe Juniper affect the hydrology of an area?
Ashe juniper may influence the hydrology of an area when it grows in abundance. Alternatively, it may limit soil erosion on many sites including steep slopes of canyons where other vegetation cover cannot grow or is sparse (Wright et al. 1975, Marsh and Marsh 1993).
How tall is an ashe juniper?
Ashe juniper (3) is an evergreen, dioecious (separate male and female plants) shrub or small tree that is usually less than 6 m in height at maturity. It is non-sprouting, typically multistemmed, and has a broadly globular growth form that usually branches near the base.
What is the importance of understanding the Ashe Juniper?
To better understand the variation in abundance of this species, its influence on ecosystem structure and function and to more effectively develop strategies for its management, a detailed understanding of its biology and ecology is essential. This chapter will summarize our knowledge of Ashe juniper in terms of its biogeography, taxonomy, life history characteristics, and relationships with other plants and animals in the ecosystem.
What is the purpose of the Ashe Juniper?
Ashe juniper does, however, serve as cover and food for many wildlife species. Deer and domestic livestock may consume large quantities of berries, particularly when other forages are of limited availability or quality.
When do Ashe Juniper trees produce fruit?
Flowers are typically produced between December and February with pollen release and pollenation occuring during this time. Cone (fruit, berry) development and maturation occurs from then until November, and fruit ripening and dispersal between November and April. Observations indicate that Ashe juniper is capable of producing abundant berry and seed crops. Trees begin to produce fruits at about 1 to 1.5 m in height (approximately 10 to 20 years old). Fruit and seed production varies greatly from tree to tree within a year and for the same tree across years (Table 1). A given tree may produce abundant fruit crops in successive years, if environmental conditions are favorable, which suggests that environmental rather than genetic limitation controls berry (seed) crops. Large trees may produce between 100,000 to 250,000 berries per tree. Smaller trees produce proportionately fewer berries (Table 1).
What is the bark of an Ashe Juniper?
The tree is easily recognized by its irregular shape, fluted, twisted trunk, and dark green foliage. It rarely grows beyond thirty feet. Its bark is gray or reddish-brown often with white patches. These are the fungus, Robergea albicedrae, found only on Juniperus ashei . Another identifying characteristic of the bark, especially on mature trees, is its shredding into long narrow strips. Have you noticed some of this “old growth” Ashe Juniper along our Natural Area trails? Its bluish-green “leaves” flattened into many little branches at the end of twigs comprised of overlapping 1/8” scale-like leaves. Each scale-like leaf has a hemispheric bump, a resin gland, which gives the tree its characteristic aroma. Those resins make the wood of the Ashe Juniper especially resistant to decay and insects.
Where do ash juniper birds fly?
In March these birds return to Texas by flying over 1100 miles from wintering grounds in Guatemala and other Central American countries .
What is the name of the tree in Texas?
The Ashe Juniper ( Juniperus ashei) is the dominant native tree species of the Texas Hill Country. One of six Juniperus species from the Cypress family ( Cupressaceae) in Texas, but the only one in the Texas Hill Country, Ashe Juniper has existed here for tens of thousands of years. Bill Ward cited in a Native Plant Society of Texas publication ...
What is the role of a juniper in the ecosystem?
Besides playing a vital role in the life cycle of the Golden-cheeked Warbler, Ashe Juniper also: Provides “berries” to birds such as the Scrub Jay and mammals as well as forage for goats, sheep, and deer. Like so many native species, Ashe Juniper, is a tremendous resource to our ecosystem.
What do juniper elms eat?
They weave their nests from the long, shaggy strips of “old growth” juniper and spider webs. They feed themselves and their young on the insects and arthropods living on Ashe Juniper, Red Oaks, Live Oaks, and Cedar Elms.
When do juniper trees turn brown?
From December to February the male trees turn golden brown with copious quantities of pollen, causing many locals to suffer from “cedar fever.”. In the fall, the female trees produce the familiar, blue juniper “berries”, which are actually miniature cones.
Do juniper trees use water?
Bamberger found that it was not the trees’ use of water, but rather, its tendency to form dense thickets. The trees actually prevent rainwater from reaching the ground and, thus, percolating back into the groundwater supply. He reports that about 54% of the water from a rain event reaches the soil under a canopy of Live Oaks but only about 20% under Ashe Juniper. In contrast grasslands allow more than 80% of the rain to infiltrate the soil. Owens & Lyons in “Evaporation and interception water loss from juniper communities on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Area” while finding much higher percentages for Ashe Juniper noted the significant loss due to evaporation from the canopy of Ashe Juniper in the low intensity rains that characterize the Hill Country.
Overview
Description
The feathery foliage grows in dense sprays, bright green in color. The leaves are scale-like, 2 to 5 millimetres (1⁄16 to 3⁄16 inch) long, and produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots. It is a dioecious species, with separate male and female plants. The seed cones are round, 3 to 5 mm (1⁄8 to 3⁄16 in) long, and soft, pulpy and berry-like, green at first, maturing purple about 8 months after pollination. They contain one or two seeds, which are dispersed when birds eat the cones an…
Scientific name
The specific name ashei pays homage to American forester and botanist William Willard Ashe.
As an invasive species
Despite being native to Texas, ashe juniper is often considered an invasive species and weed by many landowners and ranchers. It is commonly believed that they use more water than live oaks, but more recent research suggests the reverse.
Ashe juniper thrives on ranches, as cattle avoid the bitter-tasting seedlings. In contrast to the redberry juniper, ashe juniper does not resprout when cut.
Allergens
Ashe juniper pollen, along with that of the related Juniperus virginiana, can cause a severe allergic reaction. Consequently, what begins as a winter allergy may extend into spring, as the pollination of J. virginiana follows that of J. ashei. Colloquially, many Texans refer to the allergy as cedar fever.
Uses
Spanish explorers who arrived in what is now Texas in the mid-18th century built Hill Country missions using ashe junipers for roof beams. Poor land management, due to decades of clearcutting and overgrazing, led to soil erosion and a preponderance of caliche. The ashe juniper was one of the few plants that could thrive in the rocky soil.
The wood is naturally rot-resistant and provides raw material for fence posts. Posts cut from ol…
External links
Media related to Juniperus ashei at Wikimedia Commons
• Image Archive of Central Texas Plants detailed photographs
• Photographs of large Ashe Junipers (also called Mountain Cedars)
• Dimensions of Texas Champion Ashe juniper