Western Juniper
Juniperus occidentalis
Western juniper endures some of the harshest, driest ground in the region, its gnarled, twisting trunk and shredding bark often the only tree standing across miles of sagebrush steppe. Some individuals are among the oldest trees in the Pacific Northwest.
Where found
Dry, rocky high-desert slopes and plateaus of central and eastern Oregon and Washington.
Fun facts
- Some western junipers are documented at over 1,600 years old.
- Its blue-gray "berries" are actually fleshy cones, a favorite winter food for many bird species.
- Extensive 20th-century expansion into sagebrush rangeland has made it a target of active management to restore historic grassland habitat.
Specs
| Height | 6–15 m |
|---|---|
| Spread | 6–10 m |
| Lifespan | 500–1,600+ yrs |
| Growth Rate | Very slow |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Native Range | Central and eastern Oregon and Washington, south into California and Nevada |
