Juniperus monosperma aka Cherry Stone Juniper

Juniperus monosperma, or one-seed juniper, belongs to the cypress family. It grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree. Its native range spans the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Kew places it from southern Nevada to Oklahoma and Chihuahua. Wild plants grow on dry, rocky ground and sandy soils. The name refers to the single seed in most cones.

Garden plants reach 6–20 feet [1.8–6.1 metres] tall and wide. Other accounts give heights of 25 feet [7.6 metres]. Rare trees approach 40–50 feet [12.2–15.2 metres]. Several trunks can give the plant a twisted shape. Low branches rise to form a rounded or uneven crown. The thin, gray-brown bark sheds strips, revealing orange-brown layers. Stout twigs have an angular shape and turn reddish brown. The soft, scented foliage ranges from yellow-green to gray-green. Mature leaves resemble scales and sit in tight, opposite pairs. Seedlings and young shoots bear pointed, needle-like leaves.

Male and female cones usually grow on separate plants. Male cone scales open to shed pollen. Female cones look like small berries with little flesh. They range from blue-black to copper or chestnut brown. Most contain one seed, though some contain two. The cones ripen within one growing season. Birds and small mammals eat them during summer. Plants need both sexes nearby to produce seed. Some cones form most years, with heavier crops every few years.

Grow this juniper in full sun with good soil drainage. It accepts sand, loam, clay, and shallow rocky soils. Neutral to alkaline soil suits it, including chalky ground. It tolerates moist soil but also withstands dry soil and drought. Hot summers and dry climates suit it best. Cool, wet conditions in western Britain can limit its growth. NC State lists USDA zones 4–8; Oregon State gives zone 7. NC State rates growth as moderate and upkeep as low. It works as a small tree in dry gardens.

NC State reports no major pest or disease problems. Plants For A Future notes resistance to honey fungus. Skin contact may cause dermatitis, despite its listing of no known hazards. The cones can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. People have used them as seasoning and made flour from them. Inner bark served as food during shortages; gum was chewed. Native peoples used bark for cloth and mats. The wood supplied fence posts and fuel. Records also describe traditional remedies, rather than proven modern treatments.