Juniperus occidentalis Western juniper (Cupressaceae) Evergreen tree

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Juniperus occidentalis
Western juniper
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Juniperus occidentalis plant species is found in Western N. America - British Columbia to the Sierra Nevada. It is a member of the Cupressaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Western juniper. Some home gardeners know the variety as J. pyriformis.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Juniperus occidentalis
Common Name:  Western juniper
Family:  Cupressaceae
Author:  Hook.f.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  18   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Usually found on thin rocky or sandy soils[229] on desert foothills and lower mountains[60], also on windswept peaks[82] up to elevations of 3,000 metres where they become low gnarled shrubs[229].

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in most soils, including chalk, so long as they are well drained[1, 11], preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[11]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[200]. Plants are slow-growing, though they can live for 3000 years in the wild[200, 229]. They are much shorter-lived in cultivation[200], growing better in dry areas with hot summers[200]. Western Britain is generally to cool and wet for this species to thrive[200]. Plants are usually monoecious but are sometimes dioecious. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed and fruit is required. The fruit takes two summers to ripen[229]. Plants are resistant to honey fungus[88].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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