Common Name: Bermuda Juniper

General Information

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[, , ].
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[].
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[]. 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)[].
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[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Caribbean - Bermuda.

Habitat

Sandy soils and limestone rocks near sea level[]. Shallow, calcareous soils on hillsides and along marshes and coastlines[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropical Islands of Bermuda, where the climate is mild and frost-free. It is often grown as an ornamental in the tropics and subtropics[], and is also surprisingly successful in the temperate zone. In Britain, for example, as well as succeeding in the mildest regions of the country, it is also being grown successfully at Hillier's Arboretum in Hampshire where winter frosts are common and temperatures can occasionally fall to around -8°c[]

Juniperus bermudiana is grown as an ornamental and timber tree outside its native range. Perhaps the biggest planting is in St Helena and on Ascension Island where seed was introduced during the mid-19th century to establish timber tree plantations[, ].
Growth during the first 10 years is slow[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The subglobose to reniform, fleshy female cones are dark blue with a greyish bloom; they can be 4 - 8mm in diameter[]. No reports of them being edible have been seed.

Medicinal

A decoction of the leafy branches is taken to treat cough[].
The leafy branches are used in steam baths for inhalation against respiratory diseases[].

An essential oil obtained from the plant is powerfully diuretic[]. There are two essential oils, one from the leaves and one from the wood - this report could refer to both or to either[].

An ethanol extract of the twigs and leaves of has shown antitumour activity due to the presence of the lignan deoxypodophyllotoxin[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is grown in hedges[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained by distillation from the wood[]. It is often used for perfumery, sometimes in medicine[].
An essential oil is obtained by distillation from the leaves[].. It is mainly used medicinally[].

The heartwood is reddish-brown; the sapwood yellowish-white[]. The tree produces wood of a fine-textured, aromatic, low density and durable quality[]. The wood is generally knotty, due to the branching habit of the tree and lack of pruning[]. It has an attractive colour and a sweet scent. The grain is often irregular due to the knots, making it unsuitable for pencil-making[]. The wood is used in carpentry. It was formerly much used for ship and house building, joinery and cabinet work, but large trees have become scarce, and the wood is now mainly used for making furniture and souvenirs[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[, ].

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[, ]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[]. 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[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/early autumn in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[, ].
Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[].