UTAH JUNIPER

Juniperus osteosperma

Cypress Family (Cupressaceae)

This hardy tree of rimrock outcrops and rocky foothills grows throughout much of the Intermountain West and Southwest. It is a small, evergreen tree characterized by a rugged, twisted growth form, short, scalelike leaves that cloak the twigs, dry, waxy gray-green berries, and bark that peels off in long shreds. Younger trees have pointed crowns and longer scale-leaves, and look much like other species of juniper, including domestic species, but the growth form of mature trees is distinctive. This tree is best used as a specimen plant in a waterwise landscape, and needs to be given room to develop its characteristic rugged crown shape. It looks beautiful planted with big sagebrush, green mormon tea, and Fremont barberry. Once established it will rarely need supplemental water except on the driest sites.