Juniper

 

I walk a lot, over a wide range which takes in a variety of environments, and I only know of a handful of wild Juniper trees (Juniperus communis). I understand this native tree used to be more common, though in recent decades they've seen a marked decline ascribed to over browsing by wildlife and disease. I've watched this particular tree struggle for over a decade, holding on as it is in the most difficult circumstances, and although it's in decline, and continually threatened by erosion, it still endures. A female tree with numerous berries on it. Here's the thing, I only know of this juniper in the area, but juniper are dioecious, single sex trees which are wind pollinated; which means there must be a male tree somewhere. I don't know how far pollen travels on the wind? Can't be that far can it?

Juniper

The battered Juniper (Juniperus communis) tree, the only one 'I' know of miles, still thrives even though it's weathered trunk is nearly horizontal and most of its roots are exposed. I was thinking, if the tree was upright it would stand a good 4 or 5 meters tall...a good size for the species. This year, in keeping it would appear with other fruiting flora, it's covered in really healthy looking berries. I must remember to harvest some berries this year, I'd like to have a go at cultivating some saplings in the hope of  propagating this threatened native species. 

Juniper decending

I only know of two Junipers, I may well have passed some unknowingly, but only two. When I thought about that in the context of how widely I roam, I was struck by how rare a resource that made them. And, out of the two I've only known one to ever have had berries on. I've collected the berries for use many times. I've used them to turn Vodka to Gin, they're a great flavouring ingredient too. Sadly both trees are in a bad way, this one, the one that has berries on, is situated on a meander of a forest stream and subsequently having its roots eroded year on year. How many years it'll remain I don't know. I shall lament its passing though.