Juniperus bermudiana

Botanical Description

Juniperus bermudiana is an evergreen tree with a crown that is pyramidal in young trees, becoming spreading or flat-topped in older ones; the branches can be spreading or ascending. It usually grows up to 15 metres tall, occasionally reaching 23 metres. The bole is usually straight, it can be up to 60 cm in diameter[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. , 413 Title Global Invasive Species Database Publication Author Website http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Very detailed information on almost 400 species (with more being added) of plants that have become weeds in areas outside their native range. , 1212 Title New Trees Publication Author Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. Publisher Kew Publishing; London Year 2009 ISBN 1842461737 Description Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades. ]. The tree was formerly much used for its wood, but is generally to rare at present for this to occur very often. It is occasionally grown elsewhere, especially in St Helena and on Ascension Island, both for its timber and as an ornamental[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. The once extensive and dominating stands of the plant in Bermuda have been decimated by overexploitation, the introduction of exotic species, plus epidemics of accidentally introduced scale insects[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. The plant underwent a catastrophic decline of almost 95% between 1946 and 1956. The population has now started to recover as a result of natural resistance in part of the remnant population and intensive conservation efforts. Some of the causes of reduction are not reversible due to urbanization and habitat loss, but provided that the recovery is maintained, future re-assessments should result in downlisting. The plant is currently classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Juniperus bermudiana is grown as an ornamental and timber tree outside its native range, especially in St Helena and on Ascension Island. Ironically, although the tree is 'Critically Endangered' in its native habitat, on these islands the tree is now becoming an invasive problem[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. , 413 Title Global Invasive Species Database Publication Author Website http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Very detailed information on almost 400 species (with more being added) of plants that have become weeds in areas outside their native range. ].