juniper tree

What are juniper trees good for?

Current Uses. Juniper berries are most famous for flavoring gin and have also been recently used to flavor liquors and sauces. As an evergreen, juniper is a popular residential ornamental plant, used in shelterbelts and wildlife plantings. Its aromatic wood is used for furniture, paneling, fence posts and pencils.

Is Juniper a tree or a bush?

Juniper, (genus Juniperus), genus of about 60 to 70 species of aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. A number of species are cultivated as ornamentals and are useful for their timber.

Does juniper grow in Australia?

Juniperus communis does grow in Australia, but it is an introduced species. You can see Tish from Headlands Distilling Co. picking common juniper berries in Australia above.

What's a juniper tree look like?

Some common junipers have spiny needle-like leaves that grow in whorls of three: The leaves are sharp-pointed and glossy green with a broad white band on the upper side. The adult tree shape is often narrowly columnar. Common juniper bark is red-brown and peels off in thin, vertical strips.

What does the juniper tree symbolize in the Bible?

Juniper was a symbol of the Canaanites' fertility goddess Ashera or Astarte in Syria. In the Bible's Old Testament, a juniper with an angelic presence sheltered the prophet Elijah from Queen Jezebel's pursuit.

Are junipers poisonous?

All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. ... The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption.

Are junipers hard to grow?

Juniper is low maintenance and easy to grow. The plants need full sun and a well drained soil. These drought tolerant plants do not like wet soil. They can suffer, if over watered.

Do junipers grow fast?

are a large group of plants notable for their evergreen, needle-like foliage, hardy nature and moderate to fast growth rate. In general, if it is cared for properly, a juniper tree will grow at least a foot per year, according to Empire National Nursery, but this can vary widely depending on species and cultivar.

How long do juniper trees live?

Junipers typically live from 350 to 700 years, with some even passing the millennium mark. Despite their longevity, junipers rarely exceed 30 feet in height or three feet in diameter.

What climate do juniper berries grow?

Tall varieties, with their thick foliage, are quite wind resistant and are often planted in rows, as "windbreaks." Junipers grow throughout the world in many climates, from arctic regions, northern temperate areas, to the subtropics.

How long do juniper berries take to grow?

The berries are green when young, and mature to a purple-black colour over about 18 months in most species, including J. communis (shorter, 8–10 months in a few species, and about 24 months in J. drupacea).

What can be used instead of juniper berries?

Juniper Berries Substitute

Rosemary. Rosemary is a diverse herb. ...
Caraway Seeds. If there are caraway seeds available in your area, then perfect! ...
Gin. Yes, gin can be an ultimate substitute for juniper berries. ...
Cardamom. ...
Bay Leaves. ...
Hickory Spice.

Is Juniper a hardwood or softwood?

The wood is also quite hard for a softwood: about 35% harder than ponderosa pine, but only about ½ as hard as red oak.
...
Mechanical and Physical Properties of Western Juniper and Other Commonly Used Woods.

Species	northern red oak
Machining	VG
Gluing	F
Finishing	F
Bending	E

How deep are the roots of a juniper tree?

The root system of a Juniper tree might grow 2 to 3 feet deep but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil.

How tall do juniper trees grow?

Junipers vary in size and shape from tall trees, 20–40 m (66–131 ft) tall, to columnar or low-spreading shrubs with long, trailing branches. They are evergreen with needle-like and/or scale-like leaves.

What is the spiritual meaning of Juniper?

Juniper was a symbol of the Canaanites' fertility goddess Ashera or Astarte in Syria. In the Old Testament, a juniper with an angelic presence sheltered the prophet Elijah from Queen Jezebel's pursuit.

Is Juniper mentioned in the Bible?

After quoting Numbers 38:18-19, 1 Kings 19:4-5, and Psalms 12:4, the Moldenkes continue: Actually the Scriptural “juniper” was a species of broom known as the white broom, Retama raetam. ...

What does myrtle tree mean in the Bible?

As an evergreen, fragrant shrub associated with watercourses, the myrtle is a fitting symbol of the recovery and establishment of God's promises. Zechariah 1:8-11 pictures a man standing in a ravine among myrtle trees apparently enjoying their humble beauty and fragrance.

Are junipers poisonous to dogs?

The University of California - Davis list Juniperus (Junipers) in their Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants list as having a minor toxicity (class 2) for pets and children. This rating means ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Can you eat dried juniper berries?

The spicy, aromatic, dark berries of the juniper tree can be used fresh or dried, crushed or whole, to flavour casseroles, marinades and stuffings and complement pork, rabbit, venison, beef and duck. They can also be used in sweet dishes such as fruitcake.

Can you smoke Juniper?

Do not smoke meat with juniper wood! You might toss a tiny handful of the needles or shavings onto the fire for a little kick, but if you smoke it with the wood, it'll taste like turpentine. Berries are good for spicing. ... Juniper berries are also excellent in a brine for pork or chicken.