Juniper, Pinchot

Juniperus pinchotii is an evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree growing to 3–20 feet tall, usually multi-stemmed, and with a dense, rounded crown. J. pinchotii is typically found in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Coahuila and Nuevo León at 900-3300 feet elevation; on gravelly limestone and gypsum soils; on rolling hills and in ravines. The tree is hardy to Zone 7 (cold hardiness limit between 0°F and 10°F). Commonly occurs in association with honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) or shrub live oak (Quercus turbinella), and is successional to it. The seeds can survive ground fire and the plants can resprout after cutting or fire.

The LEAVES are scale-like, 0.04–0.08 inches long and 0.02–0.06 inches broad on small shoots, up to 0.5 inches long on vigorous shoots; they are arranged in alternating whorls of three or opposite pairs. The juvenile leaves, produced on young seedlings only, are needle-like.

The CONES are berry-like, with soft resinous flesh, subglobose to ovoid, 0.20–0.30 Inches (rarely 0.40 in) long, orange-red [hence the name redberry juniper], often with a pale pink waxy bloom, and contain one or two SEEDS; they are mature in about 12 months from pollination. The MALE CONES are 0.12–0.16 inches long, and shed their pollen in fall. It is usually dioecious, with male and female cones on separate plants, but occasional monoecious plants can be found.

The BARK is pale gray, exfoliating in thin longitudinal strips, exposing orange brown underneath.

TWIGS are stiff, about 0.04 inches in diameter, erect and 3-4-sided in cross section.