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Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)

Habitat Management Suggestions for Selected Wildlife Species
 By R.J. Mackie, R.F. Batchelor, M.E. Majerus, J.P. Weigand, and V.P. Sundberg

Description

Rocky Mountain juniper is a winterhardy, drought-tolerant, long-lived, native evergreen. It has a small tree or tall shrub habit of growth and is shade tolerant. Although it is adapted to a wide range of soils, growth rates are slow during establishment and the first few years after being planted. This period is followed by medium to rapid growth. The plants reach heights in excess of 15 feet on favorable soils. The leaves are scale-like, pointed, approximately 1/8 inch long, and bluish-green, ashy green, green or yellow to brownish-green color. Some years the foliage goes into a state of dormancy and takes on a brown or rusty coloration from winter injury or extended periods of drought, but the plants usually recover during the spring or turn green when moisture is again available. The berry-like fruit is a fleshy, few-seeded cone, borne solely on female plants. They are roundish, about ½ inch diameter, usually blue-green or green in color as immature berries, and blue-black when mature. The seed takes two and sometimes three years to ripen. The bark is thin, fibrous, stringy, red-brown or gray-brown in color.

Adaptation

This species is adapted to a wide range of soils, but is partial to soils of limestone origin on dry mountain slopes and river bottoms at scattered locations across the state. Once established, the plants survive and appear to thrive even with rainfall conditions from 6 to 10 inches per year. Rocky Mountain juniper has been widely planted in the Northern Great Plains Region.

Establishment

The planting stock can be 1 to 3 year old seedlings that are 6 to 10 inches tall. The plants should be spaced 6 to 10 feet apart for adequate room and to provide optimum density for wildlife food and cover.

Management and Care

This evergreen is usually free of serious insect and disease problems. It is, however, subject to red spider mite that can be controlled with a miticide before serious damage occurs. No regular care is necessary with non-ornamental plantings.

Uses

the fruit, twigs and foliage of Rocky Mountain juniper provides food for numerous birds and mammals. It also provides nesting cover for robins, warblers and several species of sparrows. Juncos, pheasants and chukar partridge utilize this plant for roosting and cover. It provides cover for several mammals; and is an important source of browse for mule deer, whitetail deer and antelope.

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It provides cover for several mammals; and is an important source of browse for mule deer, whitetail deer and antelope.