Cool junipers in Utah

[Cable]

Just got back from a trip to Nevada, California, and Utah. Saw some pretty cool wild junipers. Including these guys which were right next to the ATV trail (in a National Park). Any idea on species?

 

[markyscott]

Just got back from a trip to Nevada, California, and Utah. Saw some pretty cool wild junipers. Including these guys which were right next to the ATV trail (in a National Park). Any idea on species?

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Utah juniper? Juniperus osteosperma

S

 

[Cable]

Utah juniper? Juniperus osteosperma

S

Could be! I was thinking California juniper but I can't tell the difference between the two.

 

[PiñonJ]

Utah juniper? Juniperus osteosperma

S

Could be! I was thinking California juniper but I can't tell the difference between the two.

Not California. Utah is possible, but these are almost certainly one-seed (J. monosperma).

 

[PaulH]

Utah juniper? Juniperus osteosperma

S

This.

 

[Nicholas Box]

Look like one-seed to me.

 

[PiñonJ]

This.

I’ve heard their appearance is very similar and, looking at the distribution maps, I’d have to agree with you - should be osteosperma.

 

[Housguy]

Those are definitely Utah Junipers, I collect those every year, nice pics.

 

[markyscott]

In my experience they both look really similar with all the shaggy bark kind of hanging down in strips. I was taught that Utah junipers usually have a single trunk but One-seed junipers usually grow in clumps. The One-seed usually has a lot of lower branches and you can’t see the trunk. When people have pointed them out to me, they look kind of spherical. If they have both flowers and cones on the same tree it’s a definite tell - that’s a Utah juniper. I didn’t see any on yours, but they looked more like single trunks so I’m guessing Utah.

 

[Cable]

Thanks guys!

 

[PiñonJ]

In my experience they both look really similar with all the shaggy bark kind of hanging down in strips. I was taught that Utah junipers usually have a single trunk but One-seed junipers usually grow in clumps. The One-seed usually has a lot of lower branches and you can’t see the trunk. When people have pointed them out to me, they look kind of spherical. If they have both flowers and cones on the same tree it’s a definite tell - that’s a Utah juniper. I didn’t see any on yours, but they looked more like single trunks so I’m guessing Utah.

Yeah, the differences become more apparent as they age. The one-seeds become more clumpy. Again, looking at the distribution maps, these have to be Utah’s, as confirmed by @Housguy.