How do you care for a Rocky Mountain juniper?

How do you care for a Rocky Mountain juniper?

Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)

1. Plant Feed. Not necessary.
2. Watering. Water regularly until established.
3. Soil. Well-drained, slightly alkaline soil.
4. Basic Care Summary. Tolerates poor soil, heat, and drought. Best in slightly alkaline, fertile but well-drained soil. Prune to maintain desired shape.

How long do Rocky Mountain junipers live?

250-300 years old
Rocky Mountain juniper is a long-lived species that often survives to be 250-300 years old or more [27,132].

How big does a Rocky Mountain juniper grow?

20 to 30 feet
Juniperus scopulorm, or Rocky Mountain juniper, is native to the Rocky Mountains and the Northwestern Great Plains. A mature height of 20 to 30 feet and spread 8 to 12 feet is typical, with a slow growth rate of 1 foot per year.

What does a Rocky Mountain juniper look like?

A columnar to somewhat rounded evergreen tree, Rocky Mountain juniper often supports several main stems. The juvenile foliage consists of pointed, white-coated needles. Adult, scale-like foliage varies in color from dark- to bluish- or light-green.

How can you tell a Rocky Mountain juniper?

Species distinguishing characteristics:

1. Small, evergreen tree or shrub.
2. Mostly ascending branches.
3. Pollen and berry-like seed cones at branch tips on separate plants.
4. Bluish-purple berries covered with a waxy, whitish bloom.
5. Leaves on mature plants are opposite and scale-like.

How do you keep junipers small?

You’ll need to start selectively pruning a juniper bush by trimming back each branch’s terminal tip. This will reduce the length and weight of the branch, making it less likely to pull out from the trunk. You can also use an arbor tie to attach sagging branches to the central trunk.

What animal eats juniper berries?

Birds, foxes and other wild animals eat juniper berries. Native Americans used juniper berries in some dishes and medicines. The berries on your juniper bush are edible, provided you observe a few cautions.

Is a Rocky Mountain juniper a tree?

What eats Rocky Mountain juniper?

It is used to some extent by elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, bighorn sheep, and antelope. Migratory birds, turkeys, and other upland game birds readily consume Rocky Mountain juniper “berries”. The “berries” are also eaten by many species of small mammals.

What does Rocky Mountain juniper smell like?

The biggest mistake about planting this tree however was the fact Rocky Mountain junipers smell like cat pee. This might be OK if I planted it far away from my patio.