Translate this page:
Summary
Physical Characteristics
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.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
J. macropoda. Boiss.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked. A liquid is obtained from the fruit[146] (used for drinking?).The cones are about 7 - 12mm in diameter and take 2 years to mature[200].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
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.
Miscellany
The smoke from the branches is used in India to treat the delirium of fevers[240].
References More on Medicinal Uses
The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books
Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.
Edible Tropical Plants
Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
Edible Temperate Plants
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
More Books
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.
Shop Now
Other Uses
Fuel Incense Miscellany Roofing Wood
The bark is used for roofing[146]. Wood - moderately hard, close and even grained, fragrant, good quality. Used for construction, fuel and it is also burnt as an incense[1, 146, 158]. The crushed foliage emits a warm resinous scent[185].
Special Uses
Food Forest Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in dry soils. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[11] and succeeding on chalk[200]. Plants are tender when young, they require a sheltered position[1]. The crushed foliage emits a warm resinous scent[185]. Plants are usually dioecious though sometimes they are monoecious[11]. 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 [2-1].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).
Shop Now
Plant Propagation
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[78, 81]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[11]. 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[1]. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[1, 78]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[78].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Oman, Cyprus, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation (Krasnodar), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan TROPICAL ASIA: India (northwest), Pakistan EUROPE: Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Juniperus ashei | Ashe Juniper, Mountain Cedar | Tree | 6.0 |
7-9
| S | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Juniperus californica | Californian Juniper, Chuperosa | Tree | 12.0 |
8-10
| S | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Juniperus chinensis | Chinese Juniper, Sargent juniper | Tree | 15.0 |
4-10
| S | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Juniperus communis | Juniper, Common juniper | Shrub | 9.0 |
4-10
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Juniperus communis nana | Juniper | Shrub | 0.5 |
4-10
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Juniperus conferta | Shore Juniper | Shrub | 0.2 |
6-10
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Juniperus deppeana | Alligator Juniper | Tree | 18.0 |
7-9
| S | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Juniperus drupacea | Syrian Juniper | Tree | 15.0 |
6-9
| M | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 0 | |
| Juniperus horizontalis | Creeping Juniper, Horizontal Juniper | Shrub | 1.0 |
4-9
| M | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Juniperus monosperma | One-Seed Juniper | Tree | 18.0 |
4-8
| M | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Juniperus occidentalis | Western Juniper | Tree | 18.0 |
4-8
| S | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Juniperus osteosperma | Desert Juniper, Utah juniper | Tree | 12.0 |
4-8
| S | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Juniperus oxycedrus | Prickly Juniper, Cade juniper | Tree | 15.0 |
8-10
| M | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Juniperus recurva | Himalayan Juniper | Tree | 12.0 |
6-9
| S | LMH | N | M | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Juniperus rigida | Temple Juniper, Needle Juniper | Tree | 8.0 |
6-7
| S | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Juniperus sabina | Savine, Tam Juniper | Shrub | 4.0 |
4-7
| S | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Juniperus scopulorum | Rocky Mountain Juniper, Weeping Rocky Mountian Juniper, Colorado Red Cedar | Tree | 10.0 |
3-7
| S | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Juniperus silicicola | Southern Redcedar, Juniper, Southern Red Cedar | Tree | 20.0 |
7-10
| S | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Juniperus squamata | Flaky Juniper | Shrub | 4.0 |
4-7
| S | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Juniperus tetragona | | Tree | 0.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Juniperus virginiana | Pencil Cedar, Eastern redcedar, Southern redcedar, Silver Cedar, Burk Eastern Red Cedar, Silver East | Tree | 20.0 |
3-9
| S | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 4 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
M. Bieb.
Botanical References
11146200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment