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Western Juniper

Juniperus occidentalis

Western juniper is the gnarled, ancient-looking juniper of the Great Basin and eastern Cascades, some specimens centuries old. A picturesque, drought-proof evergreen for harsh dry country.

Family
Cupressaceae
Type
tree
Lifespan
perennial
Height
15–50 ft
Spacing
10–25 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
dry
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Bloom
March, April
Bloom colors
yellow, brown, green
Wildlife value
songbirds, mammals, larval host
Caterpillar hosts
~42 butterfly & moth species
Landscape uses
specimen
Native states
CA, ID, NV, OR, WA