The Ashe Juniper is commonly found in central Texas, but can grow in Arkansas and Oklahoma. In good conditions, this tree may live for 200-350 years. Birds use the tree for cover and animals browse the plant on occasion. The male tree is known to contribute to high pollen counts and allergy problems in the spring. The tree is quite versatile and drought tolerant, but seldom used in landscapes.

Bark: Bark on mature trees is thick, red-brown in color, divided into long, narrow, slightly attached scales. It peels off in long, thin strips, which are used by birds for nesting material.

Foliage: The 1/16 inch long leaves are evergreen in color with a scale like appearance, opposite in rows of four, and thickened with a ridge on the back.

Flowers: The flowers are dioecious and are pollinated by wind. Individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any single plant. The plant is not self-fertilizing, so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is wanted.

Fruit: The fruit is blue in color, and oval or round in shape. It ripens from August - September into a large, blue, berry-like cone which has an appetizing flavor to wildlife. Fruit is cyclic, a year of heavy crops being followed by 1 - 2 years of light crops.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	400
Scientific Name:	Juniperus ashei
Mature Height:	35 - 40 ft
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	15 - 25 ft
Branching Shape:	Spreading
Growth Rate:	Slow to medium
Wood Strength:	Strong
Cold Hardiness Zone:	5-8
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist, Dry
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	The Ashe Juniper can get Juniper blight which causes leaf discoloration and defoliation, but is more tolerant to cedar apple rust unlike Red Cedar.
Comments:	Named in honor of William Willard Ashe 1872-1932, pioneer forester of the United States Forest Service, who collected a specimen in Arkansas.

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