General: Rocky Mountain Junipers (Juniperus scopulorum) are coniferous (cone-bearing) trees with tiny, scale-like leaves. The cones are round berries about 1/4-inch in diameter. This species is most easily recognized by the tiny cones and the flat, drooping nature of the branchlets (more like a cedar than other local junipers).

In southern Nevada, Rocky Mountain Juniper is uncommon in the Spring, Sheep, and Virgin mountains in the Transition (Yellow Pine Forests) and Canadian (Pine-Fir Forest) life zones.

Family: Cypress (Cupressaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Upright shrub to short tree.

Height: To 20 (40) ft tall.

Trunk: To 1.5 ft diameter.

Bark: Fresh bark is reddish brown; aging to gray, shredding, and fibrous.

Branches: Branchlets somewhat flattened (similar to cedar); drooping towards the end of the branch.

Needles: Gray-green, scale-like, about 1/8 in long. Young twigs on immature trees have needle-like leaves. Leaves smooth on margin. Glands usually absent.

Cones: Small; blue covered in grayish waxy coating.

Seeds: 2 seeds, 6-9 mm diameter.

Habitat: Higher elevation mountain slopes and ridges.

Elevation: About 7,000 to 9,000 feet around Las Vegas; down to sea level in the north.

Distribution: Eastern Nevada to New Mexico, north to the Canadian border.

Comments: Rocky Mountain Juniper occur in the Spring, Sheep, and Virgin Mountains, but they are generally uncommon around Las Vegas. This species is most easily seen in the Spring Mountains along the entrance road to Hilltop Campground (off Deer Creek Road between Kyle and Lee canyons).

Rocky Mountain Juniper branchlets appear more lacy, drooping, and flat, while Utah Juniper branchlets appear more coarse, upright, and 3-dimensional.