Grecian Juniper
Juniperus excelsa

Family: Cupressaceae

What it is like

Juniperus excelsa is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

Inner dry ranges of the Himalayas, 1500 - 4200 metres, from Nepal to Afghanistan.

S. Europe to E. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. A liquid is obtained from the fruit (used for drinking?).The cones are about 7 - 12mm in diameter and take 2 years to mature.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The smoke from the branches is used in India to treat the delirium of fevers.

Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Other

Rating: 3

The bark is used for roofing. Wood - moderately hard, close and even grained, fragrant, good quality. Used for construction, fuel and it is also burnt as an incense. The crushed foliage emits a warm resinous scent.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Incense: Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.

Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.

Roofing: Used to give a waterproof roof to buildings. See also Thatching.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Succeeds in dry soils. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil and succeeding on chalk. Plants are tender when young, they require a sheltered position. The crushed foliage emits a warm resinous scent. Plants are usually dioecious though sometimes they are monoecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots spreading near the soil surface .

Propagating it: The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

J. macropoda. Boiss.