A hardy tree growing on the rim at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah [C. J. Earle, 2015.11.20].
Reference: Juniperus Scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) Description. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Juniperus_scopulorum.php. Accessed 14 May 2019.
Source: https://www.conifers.org/cu/ju/s/scopulorum03.jpg

Latin (group) name: Juniperus
Latin (specific) name: Juniperus Scopulorum (Sargent)
Average max height: 25' to 40'
Average diameter: 18"
Associated state: none
Category: American Woods
The Softwoods - Conifers



The Tree

The Rocky Mountain Juniper grows more or less irregularly 25 to 40 feet high with short trunks up to 18 inches in diameter, When no suppressed or exposed on rocky mountain sides, the tree grows straight, similar to Eastern Redcedar or so called Tennessee Redcedar. The foliage is a pale gray-green color, and the bark is somewhat stringy and a cinnamon-brown to grayish color. The berries are nearly round, one-quarter to one-third inch in diameter, blue but covered with a whitish bloom.

juniper foliage
Rocky Mt. Juniper foilage
juniper pollen cones
Rocky Mountain Juniper Pollen Cones
juniper tree bark
Rocky Mountain Juniper Tree Bark

Common Names in Use

  • Rocky Mountain Juniper (Mont.)
  • Cedar (Colo.)
  • Colorado Juniper (lit)
  • Juniper (Idaho)
  • Red Cedar (Wash,Utah)
  • Rocky Mountain Red Cedar (Wash, Colo., Utah)
  • Western Juniper (trade)

Growth Range

This tree is found throughout the higher elevations, Alberta and South Dakota to New Mexico, and from British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon and Nevada to Arizona.

The Wood

The heartwood of Rocky Mountain Juniper is a beautiful tan to a bright rose-red, sometimes lightly streaked with narrow purple markings. The sapwood is comparatively thick and a creamy-white color. The wood has a pleasing aromatic odor, is fine-grained, durable, soft and easy to work, and takes a smooth finish. It is a delightful wood to handle in the workshop.

juniper logs
Rocky Mountain Juniper Logs

Uses

Because of the sparse and scattered supply of this wood, it has found no commercial use except locally for fence posts. It is suitable for lead pencils, cedar chests, closet linings and other uses similar to those of Eastern Redcedar. The beautiful color and texture of Rocky Mountain Juniper is such as to warrant far more extensive use in novelties.

File References

  ID Name Size Last modified Last modified by Actions
411 Juniperas Scopulorum Sargent
A hardy tree growing on the rim at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah [C. J. Earle, 2015.11.20].
Reference: Juniperus Scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) Description. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Juniperus_scopulorum.php. Accessed 14 May 2019.
Source: https://www.conifers.org/cu/ju/s/scopulorum03.jpg
261.54 KB 05-13-2019
412 Rocky Mountain Juniper-Range Map
Natural distribution map for Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juniperus_scopulorum_range_map_4.png
Attribution: Elbert L. Little, Jr., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service [Public domain]
204.51 KB 05-15-2019
413 Rocky Mountain Juniper Foliage
Cones and foliage; also at Bryce Canyon [C. J. Earle, 2015.11.21].
Reference: Juniperus Scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) Description. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Juniperus_scopulorum.php. Accessed 14 May 2019.
Source: https://www.conifers.org/cu/ju/s/scopulorum09.jpg
162.47 KB 05-13-2019
414 Rocky Mountain Juniper Pollen Cones
Pollen cones, very nearly ripe; also at Bryce Canyon [C. J. Earle, 2016.05.05].
Reference: Juniperus Scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) Description. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Juniperus_scopulorum.php. Accessed 14 May 2019.
Source: https://www.conifers.org/cu/ju/s/scopulorum10.jpg
188.06 KB 05-13-2019
416 Rocky Mountain Juniper Logs
Reference: “Rocky Mountain Juniper, Utah Juniper, and Western Juniper (Sometimes Referred to as Desert Cedars).” Michael Keller Woodcarving, 12 Oct. 2010, https://whiteeaglestudios.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/rocky-mountain-juniper-utah-juniper-and-western-junipers-sometimes-referred-to-as-desert-cedars-a-carver%e2%80%99s-delight/.
Source: https://whiteeaglestudios.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/rocky-mountain-juniper-utah-juniper-and-western-junipers-sometimes-referred-to-as-desert-cedars-a-carver%E2%80%99s-delight/
642.61 KB 05-13-2019

Bibliography


  • Shelley E. Schoonover (American Woods) 1951 (Watling & Co. ) Santa Monica, CA 

Woodworking hand tools banner for OSHA
Reference: Safety and Health Topics | Woodworking | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/woodproducts/tech_woodworking.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2018.

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