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Ashe Juniper

Juniperus ashei

Other common name(s):

Ashe's Juniper, Cedar

Family:

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

20
to
30
ft.

Spread

15
to
30
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Caliche, Shallow, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Very Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Brown

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Berry, Nectar, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Maintenance

Low maintenance is required except thoughtful control of seedlings. Remove unwanted seedlings. Trees make a great “green screen” so leave some for privacy. Remove trees from perimeter of house for fire control. Leave lower branches for wildlife habitat. Can be pruned to a single trunk if desired. Give lots of space. Likes to spread in disturbed area. Prefers canyons; arroyos; limestone outcrops. Plant a female to avoid pollen and provide fruit for birds. Can cause seasonal allergies. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Usually multi-trunked. Female trees produce dark blue berries that are eaten by birds and small mammals. Males show a burnt gold appearance in winter due to pollen. Fragrant, dark-green, scaly foliage. Flowers inconspicuous. The bark is used for nesting material by the rare golden-cheeked warbler. Larval Host: Juniper Hairstreak and Olive butterflies.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Juniperus ashei var. ovata, Juniperus occidentalis var. conjungens, Juniperus occidentalis var. texana, Juniperus sabinoides

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 314-315. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=JUAS. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Juniperus+ashei&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=8234&locationType=County&mapType=Normal.. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=194812#null

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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