One-seed juniper

Juniperus monosperma

Family:: Cupressaceae
Elevation:: 4,500 ft – 7,500 ft
Region:: Southwest

The gnarled, multi-trunked juniper that with piñon defines the NM foothills 'PJ' woodland. Blue berry-like cones feed birds through winter; a slow, nearly indestructible native.

Care · tuned to the Southwest

Water

Zero once established. Deep-rooted and drought-adapted; it will outlive you on rainfall alone.

Sun & exposure

Full sun.

Soil

Any lean, rocky, alkaline soil including raw caliche. Excellent on erosion-prone slopes.

In the Southwest

Wind-pollinated — the pollen is a major late-winter allergen along the Rio Grande. Very slow-growing, so protect existing trees rather than counting on new ones to size up quickly.

Common problems & fixes

Spider mites — hot, dusty, dry conditions bronze and thin the foliage
Fix — Hose down the foliage periodically and treat heavy cases with horticultural oil.
Tip blight (Kabatina/Phomopsis) — branch tips brown and die back after wet weather
Fix — Prune out dead tips well below the infection in dry weather and avoid overhead watering.

Pets & toxicity

Berries/cones can cause mild GI upset if pets eat many; rarely a problem.

Easy to confuse with

Rocky Mountain juniper (J. scopulorum) — single trunk, higher elevation
Alligator juniper (J. deppeana) — checkered bark

Sources

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