Juniperus cedrus

Botanical Description

Juniperus cedrus is an evergreen shrub or a tree with a narrow, conical crown when young becoming somewhat columnar and open as it ages; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight bole can be 50 - 120cm in diameter[ 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. ]. Up to the 19th centruy this species was much exploited from the wild for its valuable timber, but numbers have now been drastically reduced and the wood is generally only used if it has been obtained from cultivation. The tree is often grown as an ornamental, but is not usually grown for its timber because it is too slow growing, Juniperus cedrus is restricted to the Canary Islands and Madiera. It has been heavily exploited for its valuable timber and it is believed that there are no more than about 600 sexually mature individuals. Regeneration in some subpopulations is poor or absent, possibly due to reduced seed set, the decline of avian dispersers and the effects of grazing. In some locations fires have led to the loss of mature individuals. Together, these factors contribute to a continuing decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 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. ].