Conifer Trees Database

Description. Savin juniper is a shrubby, extremely variable, evergreen coniferous species of tree that grows to mature heights of 3 to 12 feet (1 - 4 m) tall, with a trunk typically measuring 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter, measured at breast height. This species is largely dioecious with separate male and female plants, but some individual plants produce both sexes.

• Crown is broad and flat with spreading branches.
• Branchlets grow upright and 4-angled, measuring 0.024 to 0.04 inch (0.6 to 1 mm) thick, with an unpleasant, pungent odor when crushed.
• Bark is reddish brown and fibrous, peeling in strips.
• Leaves are produced in two forms - juvenile needle-like leaves, each measuring 0.2 to 0.4 inch (5 - 10 mm) long, and adult scale-leaves measuring 0.04 to 0.08 inch (1 - 2 mm) long on slender shoots 0.032 to 0.04 inch (0.8 - 1 mm) thick. Juvenile leaves are found mainly on seedlings but mature shrubs sometimes continue to bear some juvenile leaves as well as adult, particularly on shaded shoots low in the crown. Foliage is dark- to light-green in color with a prominent, oblong resin gland, smooth edges, and a triangular tip pressed against the twig.
• Pollen cones measure 0.08 to 0.16 inch (2 - 4 mm) long, growing singly at the branch tips. They shed their pollen in early spring.
• Seed cones are berry-like, measuring 0.2 to 0.36 inch (5 - 9 mm) in diameter. They are Blue-black in color with a whitish waxy bloom, and contain 1 to 3 (rarely 4 or 5) seeds; they are mature about 18 months after pollination.

The foliage and the seeds contain sabinol (a terpenic alcohol) and gallic acid, which is transformed into pyrogallol. Consumption of the foliage causes a severe irritation of all mucous membranes. The sabinol attacks the nervous system, causing convulsions. The pyrogallol blocks the intestinal circuit completely. Death occurs quickly.

Distribution. This species is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe and western and central Asia, from Spain east to eastern Siberia, typically growing at elevations of 3,200 to 10,000 feet (1,000 - 3,300 m) above sea level. "It is very tolerant to cold, drought and gases. It has no special requirements regarding soil."

Hardy to USDA Zone 3 - cold hardiness limit between -40° and -30°F (-39.9° and -34.4°C).