What are the best juniper berries?
What are the best juniper berries?
The fruit of common juniper (Juniperus communis) is generally considered to be the most flavorful juniper berry, but J. virginiana (eastern red cedar) also produces tasty, edible berries. These are the two most common species in the U.S.
Are junipers harmful?
All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. Certain varieties of juniper berry contain safe, low amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick.
How tall does a common juniper grow?
5 ft.
Possibly the most widely distributed tree in the world, Juniperus communis (Common Juniper) is an evergreen shrub or columnar tree. In North America, it most often grows as a low mat-forming shrub reaching up to 5 ft. in height (150 cm) and 7-13 ft. across (210-390 cm).
Do male or female junipers have berries?
“Junipers bear both male and female cones, although the female cones are often referred to as “berries.” Most junipers are dioecious, meaning male and female cones are found on separate trees. Some trees may bear both types of cones.”
Can I pick my own juniper berries?
When to Harvest Juniper Berries Juniper berries ripen for 2 to 3 years. The first year produces flowers, the second a hard green berry, and by the third, they are ripening to a deep blue. Pick berries in the fall once the plant has numerous blue berries.
Is juniper poisonous to dogs?
ANSWER: 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.
Do birds eat juniper berries?
Everything from eastern bluebirds and evening grosbeaks to wild turkeys and sharp-tailed grouse devour the fruit. On a frigid day, some birds may gulp down more than 200 of the berries.
When should you plant junipers?
Juniper is ideally planted in fall to ensure root growth and thus proper settling in in spring. However, you can also plant in spring and water a bit more at the beginning. Note that juniper tolerates virtually all types of soil, and behaves exactly the same whether conditions are moist or during a full-blown drought.
Are junipers fast growing?
How Fast Do Junipers Grow. The growth rate of Junipers varies, but these plants tend to grow at a slow or moderate rate. Most shrub and groundcover junipers grow 4 to 8 inches per year.
How do you tell the difference between a male and female juniper?
Such plants are called dioecious. ( Monoecious plants produce both male and female flowers on the same plant.) You can identify the female plants by their production of the berry-like cones. Female juniper plants make the cones that produce seeds; male junipers produce only pollen cones.
How do you identify common junipers?
Identifying Common Junipers 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.
How do I know what kind of juniper I have?
A helpful way to perfect juniper tree identification is by looking at its cones. Juniper cones on male trees are small and either yellow or tan. The female plants produce colorful berries, which are actually modified cones. Northwest species berries turn blue at maturity, but some species have red berries.
