Edible Parts: Fruit  Shoots
Edible Uses: Coffee  Condiment  Tea

Only the mature fleshy seed cones are edible, and they should be eaten only in small quantities [2-3]. The fleshy cone scales contain natural sugars together with volatile oils and aromatic resins typical of the genus. Most cones contain one or two seeds, leaving only a modest quantity of edible flesh. Historical records indicate that Indigenous peoples occasionally ate the fruits fresh or dried. Field observations consistently found the ripe fruits to be strongly resinous and lacking the sweetness associated with better edible junipers. The fruits therefore have greater ethnobotanical than culinary significance [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 1.5/5. Rocky Mountain juniper receives an edibility rating of 1.5 out of 5. The rating reflects its documented traditional use together with its consistently poor flavor, high resin content, and limited practical value as a food. While edible in small quantities, it is considerably inferior to one-seeded or alligator juniper. Taste, Processing & Culinary Use: Field observations found Rocky Mountain juniper fruits consistently unpleasant regardless of where they were collected. Samples gathered from the Book Cliffs of eastern Utah, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, and several additional locations all displayed the same strongly acrid, resinous flavor [2-3]. Any underlying sweetness was largely overwhelmed by pungent evergreen resins [2-3]. Cooking did not significantly improve the fruits. The fleshy cone scales possess a soft, fibrous texture surrounding one or occasionally two hard seeds. Drying preserved the fruits but did not noticeably improve flavor. Although the cones could theoretically be ground into meal or used sparingly as flavoring, their culinary quality is generally too poor to justify extensive processing. Compared with other southwestern junipers, Rocky Mountain juniper ranks among the least palatable species [2-3]. Seasonality (Phenology): Rocky Mountain juniper remains evergreen year-round. Flowering generally occurs during spring. The fleshy seed cones mature during late summer and autumn, developing a bluish color covered by a pale waxy bloom. Mature cones frequently remain attached throughout winter, allowing harvesting well beyond the initial ripening period. This persistence made the species a dependable seasonal resource even if the fruits were not especially desirable. Safety & Cautions: Consume Rocky Mountain juniper fruits only in small quantities. Like all junipers, they contain biologically active volatile oils and resinous compounds that may irritate the kidneys when consumed regularly or in large amounts. Individuals with kidney disease should avoid juniper fruits. Medicinal or concentrated use during pregnancy is not recommended. Only fully ripe blue fruits should be harvested. Immature green cones contain higher concentrations of resins and should not be eaten. Leaves, bark and wood are not edible. Harvest & Processing: Harvest mature blue cones during autumn after they have fully ripened. Taste fruits from individual trees before collecting large quantities, although your observations suggest consistently resinous flavour across multiple populations. Remove leaves, twigs and damaged fruits. Remove seeds before further processing. Drying improves storage life but has little effect on flavor. Grinding dried fruits into meal allows them to be mixed with other foods, reducing resin intensity, although culinary results remain modest. Because of the poor flavor, gathering large quantities is generally not worthwhile [2-3]. Traditional Indigenous Uses: Rocky Mountain juniper served as an important multipurpose tree for many Indigenous peoples throughout the western United States. People occasionally gathered ripe seed cones for food or flavoring, particularly during seasons when other fruits were scarce. The wood was valued for fuel, fence posts, tools, and construction. Branches, bark and foliage were widely used in traditional medicine, ceremonies and practical household applications. Its cultural importance therefore extended far beyond its limited food value. Nutritional Value: The fleshy seed cones contain natural sugars, dietary fiber and aromatic essential oils. Most of the edible value comes from the carbohydrates in the fleshy cone scales. Because the fruits contain relatively little flesh and are consumed only sparingly, they should be regarded as a supplementary rather than significant food source. Fruit - raw or cooked[105, 161, 183]. Sweet and fleshy, but strongly flavoured[85, 229]. Resinous[227]. Often used as a flavouring, imparting a sage-like taste, for which purpose it is usually dried and ground into a powder[85, 183]. The fruit can also be dried and ground into a meal for making mush and cakes[183].The fruits are about 5 - 8mm in diameter[200, 227]. The roasted fruit is a coffee substitute[183]. A tea is made from the fruits and young shoots[183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidandruff  Appetizer  Diaphoretic  Disinfectant  Diuretic  Haemostatic  Kidney  Laxative  
Parasiticide  Poultice  Sedative  Stomachic  Tonic  VD

Rocky Mountain juniper was widely employed medicinally by many native North American Indian tribes who used it in particular to treat problems connected with the chest and kidneys[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. A tea made from the terminal shoots has been used in the treatment of VD by some N. American Indian tribes[213]. The treatment has to be taken over a long period of time[257]. The fruits are appetizer, diuretic and stomachic[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of stomach, kidney and bladder problems[213, 257]. An infusion of the twigs has been used in the treatment of fevers, pneumonia, coughs and colds[257]. A poultice of the mashed and dampened branches has been applied to skin sores[257]. The leaves are diaphoretic, disinfectant, febrifuge, haemostatic, laxative, sedative and tonic[99, 216, 257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of internal bleeding, constipation and constant coughing[257]. The leaves have been boiled, then mixed with turpentine and used as an external treatment on rheumatic joints[257]. The leaves have been rubbed into the hair in order to treat dandruff[213, 257].

Beads  Disinfectant  Incense  Parasiticide  Repellent  Shelterbelt  Tinder  Wax  Wood

Rocky Mountain juniper is widely planted as an ornamental and shelterbelt tree. Landscape Uses: Alpine garden, Border, Screen, Specimen, Street tree. A fragrant wax on the fruits can be obtained by boiling the fruit and skimming off the wax as it floats to the surface. It is used to make aromatic candles but is only present in small quantities[85]. The boughs are used as an incense to fumigate houses and to drive off smells. The wood can be burnt or just hung in the room, or it can be boiled up in water and the water used to wash the walls, floor etc[99]. The bark is employed as a tinder and is also made into a slow match[216]. The dried seeds have been used as beads or as the 'rattle' in rattles[99, 216]. The fruits and the leaves are used as an insect repellent[169]. A strong infusion of the cones is used to kill ticks[99]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover, the cultivar 'Repens' is especially suitable[208]. A fairly wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting[200]. In N. America it is used to some extent in re-afforestation and shelterbelt plantings on the prairies[227]. Wood - extremely tough, aromatic, close grained, light, fairly strong in endwise compression but moderately weak in bending, hard, durable in the soil. Used for interior finishes, bows, hoops, hafts, wheels etc[99, 149, 227]. Wildlife & Ecology: Rocky Mountain juniper is an extremely valuable wildlife tree. Its fleshy cones provide food for many birds and mammals, including waxwings, robins, bluebirds, grouse, foxes, coyotes and small rodents. Birds disperse the seeds over considerable distances. Dense evergreen foliage provides year-round shelter and nesting habitat. The tree also stabilizes rocky slopes, reduces erosion and contributes greatly to the structure and diversity of western woodland ecosystems.

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover