plant · GBIF taxon 2684487
Ashe Juniper
Juniperus asheiAlso known as Mountain Cedar, Post Oak Juniper, Blueberry Juniper, Texas Cedar
Ashe junipers form the backbone of the Texas Hill Country, growing as multi-trunked, evergreen trees with shaggy, peeling bark. Their dense, aromatic canopy provides critical nesting material and habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, which uses the shredded bark strips to build its nests. During winter, male trees release massive clouds of orange pollen that drift across the landscape, triggering intense seasonal allergies.
EvergreenDrought-TolerantWildlife-Haven
Licensed referenceDdal at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
- family
- Cupressaceae
- threats
- Land clearing, urbanization, and aggressive brush management
- life Span
- 300 to 500 years
LC
Pollen causes severe winter allergies, and wild berries have toxic look-alikes; do not ingest.
- Identify by Bark: Look for shreddy, gray-brown bark peeling in long, thin strips on mature trunks.
- Spot the Berries: Search for bright blue, waxy, berry-like cones on female trees during autumn.
- Watch for Warblers: Scan mature stands in spring for nesting Golden-cheeked Warblers.