Description of Plant

Leaf: Evergreen, dark green with a gland dot, opposite in 4 rows forming slender angled twigs 1.5-10 mm in length.

Cone: 6-10 mm in diameter and berrylike, juicy, sweetish, and resinous with 1-2 seeds. Pollen cones are on separate trees.

Bark: Reddish-brown, thin, fibrous and shreddy.

Form: Evergreen, aromatic tree with an angled trunk and narrow to broad irregular crown.

Discussion of the Plant

This tree is native in 37 states and is resistant to extremes of drought, heat, and cold. The wood is used for fence posts, cedar chests, cabinet work, and carvings. The berries are a source of food for many forms of wildlife. It is not good to have this type of tree near an apple orchard as it can be a host for cedar-apple rust which is a fungus that attacks apple trees. Junipers are a favorite victim of red spider mites. If the tree appears weak, with yellowing foliage, it may have spider mites. To check for spider mites, hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and gently shake the foliage. If the paper comes away with many small dots that move, it has spider mites.

Copyright

© Sue Grabowski, Gail Slowinski, Carl Schurz High School 2003

References

Coombes, Allen, J, Smithsonian Handbook of Trees, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2002.

Little, Elbert, L., Field Guide to Trees, Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1980.

Symonds, George, W.D., The Tree Identification Book, Quill Publishing, New York, N.Y. 1958.