74 Species in Genus Juniperus – Juniper Tree

I continued my hikes, drawn to those interesting, twisted shrubs I’d first seen. Up close, I realized juniper trees aren’t quite what I expected. They can be all sorts of shapes, from bushy shrubs to these interesting, twisted little trees. The foliage is unlike any other evergreen I’ve seen. Some junipers have these short, prickly needles, kind of like a miniature pine, but others have these tiny, overlapping scales that shimmer in the sunlight. The colors are surprising too – they range from a deep, almost emerald green to a silvery blue, and I’ve even seen some with a golden tint. It’s like a whole palette of greens and blues in one plant!

Taking care of my juniper bonsai is like having a tiny, temperamental pet – it takes some practice to figure out what it likes. The biggest challenge for me has been watering. At first, I wasn’t sure how often it needed a drink, and I nearly killed it by letting it dry out for too long. Now, I’ve learned to stick my finger in the soil – if it feels dry at all, it’s watering time. I also mist the leaves every few days, especially in the winter when the air inside gets dry. Sunlight is another thing I’m still figuring out. I know junipers love sun, but I don’t want to scorch the little guy. So, I keep it on a sunny windowsill but move it back a bit on the hottest days. Trial and error, that’s been my motto with my juniper bonsai!

Keeping my regular juniper tree trimmed has been a learning experience. At first, I went a little overboard with the shears, trying to get it into a perfect round shape. Big mistake! Junipers don’t really like being chopped back too hard, and it ended up looking a bit lopsided for a while. Now, I take a much more relaxed approach. I focus on removing any dead or brown branches first, then I just trim off a little here and there to even out the shape. Those pruners are tempting, but I resist the urge to go crazy. Less is definitely more when it comes to juniper trimming, at least in my experience!

You wouldn’t believe the places I’ve seen juniper trees growing! They seem to pop up all over the world. On my trip to the mountains last year, I saw these massive juniper trees clinging to the sides of cliffs, their roots digging deep into the cracks. It looked impossible, but there they were, thriving in that harsh environment. Then there’s this little juniper bush that grows right outside my kitchen window. It’s squeezed between some rocks next to the driveway, and it gets blasted by the sun all day long. But that little trooper just keeps on going, adding a splash of green to the otherwise boring gravel. From mountain cliffs to scorching driveways, juniper trees seem to find a way to grow just about anywhere!

That’s the surprising thing about juniper trees – their height is all over the place! Those giant junipers I saw in the mountains must have been at least 50 feet tall, towering over everything else. They looked ancient and wise, like they’d been watching the world go by for centuries. But then you have the ones around my house. There’s that scraggly bush by the driveway that’s barely taller than my knees, and a few creeping junipers that hug the ground and spread out over the rocks. So, depending on the kind of juniper, they can be anything from these towering giants to these low-growing groundcovers. It’s pretty amazing that such different shapes and sizes can all be part of the same family of trees!

Normally, my junipers don’t seem to be on the menu for the deer around here. The scratchy needles and strong scent seem to keep them at bay. Those deer can mow down a flower bed in no time flat, but they leave the junipers alone. Although, there was that one harsh winter a couple years back. Food must have been scarce because they did nibble on the lower branches of a young juniper I had just planted. Luckily, it wasn’t enough to damage the tree permanently, but it was a reminder that even these deer-resistant plants can be tempting in extreme situations. So, I guess the answer is they usually won’t bother them, but in a pinch, even a prickly juniper might look appetizing to a hungry deer!

You can try, but I wouldn’t recommend just hacking off the top of a juniper tree. Unlike some other evergreens, junipers don’t sprout new growth readily on bare wood. Chopping off the top might stunt its growth and leave you with an oddly shaped tree. If you need to control the height of your juniper, it’s better to focus on selective pruning. Take out some of the higher branches, encouraging bushier growth lower down. It takes a bit more patience, but it keeps the tree healthy and looking its best. Think of it like giving your juniper a haircut, not a beheading!

In my experience, juniper trees are definitely on the slow side when it comes to growth. My little juniper bush by the driveway? It seems to add maybe an inch or two a year, if that. The bigger, bushier ones might grow a few inches faster, but it’s nothing dramatic. Those towering junipers I saw in the mountains? Well, they must grow incredibly slowly because they looked like they’d been there for centuries. I guess that’s part of their charm – they’re not fast-growing, but they’re steady and reliable, like patient old friends slowly adding a touch of evergreen beauty to the landscape.

Keeping a juniper bonsai alive indoors has been a bit of a battle for me. Sure, you can find information online saying it’s possible, but those articles don’t quite capture the struggle. Junipers crave the sunshine and fresh air – things my living room just can’t provide. I’ve tried everything – grow lights, misting religiously, finding the sunniest windowsill – but it’s a constant fight against its natural instincts.
Don’t get me wrong, my little juniper bonsai is a survivor. It’s tough as nails, just like its outdoor counterparts. But it doesn’t exactly thrive indoors. The growth is slow, and sometimes the needles lose their vibrant color. While I can keep it alive, it always seems a bit out of place in my cozy, climate-controlled home.
Honestly, if you’re set on a bonsai, I recommend going with a variety that’s naturally better suited for indoor life. There are beautiful ficus or jade bonsai that would likely reward your efforts with much less hassle. My juniper? Well, maybe someday I’ll have a house with a sunroom where it can truly flourish. Until then, I’ll keep doing my best to provide it with a taste of the outdoors it craves.

As someone who’s learned the hard way with my juniper, pruning them is all about keeping it natural. Forget about trying to sculpt it into a perfect geometric shape – juniper trees don’t like that kind of harsh treatment.
Here’s what I’ve found works best:
Start small: Instead of grabbing those loppers and going to town, focus on removing dead or diseased branches first. These will be brown and brittle, and snipping them off will encourage healthy new growth.
Think selective: For shaping, target individual branches rather than hacking off big chunks. Look for outward-growing branches that disrupt the overall shape and trim them back to a healthy side shoot. This keeps the tree looking full and natural.
Be patient: Junipers are slow growers, so don’t expect to achieve dramatic results overnight. Take your time, prune a little here and there, and step back to admire your work. It’s more about gradually coaxing the tree into a pleasing shape than drastically altering it.
Remember, the goal is to enhance the natural beauty of your juniper, not turn it into a topiary. With a little practice and these tips, you can keep your juniper healthy and looking its best for years to come.

There could be a few reasons why your juniper tree is turning brown, based on my own experiences. Here are some possibilities to consider:
Underwatering: This is a common culprit for browning needles. Junipers are tough, but they still need a decent drink. Stick your finger in the soil – if it feels dry at all, it’s watering time.
Overwatering: Even though they need water, too much can be bad. Soggy soil can suffocate the roots and lead to browning needles. Make sure your juniper has drainage holes in the pot and avoid letting it sit in water.
Lack of sunlight: Junipers love sunshine. If yours is getting shaded out by other plants or spending too much time indoors, that could be why it’s browning. Try moving it to a sunnier spot.
Pests or diseases: While less common, juniper trees can be susceptible to certain insects or fungal diseases. These can cause browning needles as well. If you suspect pests or diseases, it’s best to consult a local nursery or gardening expert for advice on how to treat them.
By checking these potential causes, you should be able to diagnose what’s ailing your juniper and get it back to its green, healthy state!

Watering a juniper bonsai can be tricky – it’s all about finding the balance between keeping it moist but not soggy. Here’s what I’ve learned through trial and error with my little juniper:
Watch the soil, not the schedule: Unlike some plants you can water on a set schedule, junipers need watering based on how dry the soil is. Stick your finger into the soil – if the top inch feels dry to the touch, it’s watering time.
Soak it thoroughly: When you do water, don’t just give it a little sprinkle. The goal is to soak the entire root ball. Place the pot in a shallow tray or sink filled with water, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The water will rise through the drainage holes, saturating the soil.
Let it drain completely: Once you’ve soaked the pot, take it out of the tray and let all the excess water drain away. Never leave your bonsai sitting in water – that can lead to root rot.
Frequency depends on season and environment: Junipers need more water in hot, sunny weather and less in cooler temperatures. You’ll also need to adjust watering based on the humidity levels in your home. During winter, when the heat is on and the air is drier, I might water my juniper every other day. In spring and fall, when it’s cooler, I might only need to water it twice a week. Just keep an eye on the soil and adjust accordingly.
Remember, underwatering is less damaging than overwatering for a juniper bonsai. If you’re unsure, err on the side of letting it dry out slightly before watering again. With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it and your juniper bonsai will thank you with healthy, vibrant foliage.

Unlike most trees that grace us with springtime pollen showers, juniper trees are rebels with their own schedule. Based on my experiences and the occasional sniffle attack, here’s the deal:
Early birds: Forget waiting for spring – juniper trees can start releasing pollen as early as December! Yes, December. Those holiday decorations aren’t the only things making your nose tingle.
Long season: Juniper pollen season isn’t a quick burst – it can drag on for months. March and April are typically the peak times, but depending on the weather conditions, you might be dodging juniper sneezes well into late spring.
So, if you suffer from allergies, juniper trees are a sneaky culprit to keep on your radar. Their long and unusual pollination season can make it tough to escape the sniffles!