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Cupressaceae FAMILY Endangered

Juniperus cedrus

Juniperus cedrus

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Tree
GrowthSlow

Although native to the mild climates of the Canary Islands and Madeira, Juniperus cedrus is surprisingly hardy and able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -5°c for short periods. It can be grown outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone, with a tree growing more than 10 metres tall at Mount Usher in Ireland[1]. In the Canary Islands this species has become adapted to different habitats. In Tenerife and La Palma, it occurs at the timberline (2,200 metres), which characteristically has low precipitation and great diurnal temperature variation. In contrast, on La Gomera, which is lower in elevation, (1,150 metres) and has high levels of humidity as a result of the north-east trade winds. In Gran Canaria it only occurs on Montaña del Cedro, where it grows at altitudes between 800 - 900 metres, here the temperatures are relatively warmer[2]. The subpopulation on Madeira occurs on exposed rock faces above the laurel forest tree-line above 1,400 metres in elevation[2]. A highly attractive species, it is extensively cultivated as an ornamental within its native range, and is used by the forestry service particularly along the Laurissilva Levadas (manmade irrigation channels and pathways)[3, 2]. A 40 year old plantation at Aguamansa, above Puerto de la Cruz at 1,100 metres shows the potential of this species in the northern cloud belt; already about 15 metres tall (a very fast growth rate for a Juniper), they have telegraph-pole straight trunks to about 15 - 20cm in diameter, longer leaves to 20mm and large (12 mm) cones[3].

Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration[4, 5]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[6]. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years[7]. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/early autumn in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[7, 4]. Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[4]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Juniperus+cedrus>

Pollinators

Wind

References

  1. [1]New Trees — Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. · Kew Publishing; London · 2009 · ISBN 1842461737 ↩︎Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
  2. [2]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
  3. [3]The Gymnosperm Database — http://www.conifers.org/index.htm ↩︎A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.
  4. [4]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
  5. [5]Conifers. — Rushforth. K. · Christopher Helm · 1987 · ISBN 0-7470-2801-X ↩︎Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
  6. [6]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
  7. [7]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).