Common Name: Syrian Juniper

General Information

Juniperus drupacea is an evergreen tree with a pyramidal or columnar crown; it can grow 10 - 20 metres tall, exceptionally reaching 40 metres[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It can be grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Although this species should be considered as threatened in Israel and Lebanon and has a limited distribution in Greece, it is none-the-less widespread and without any apparent serious present-day threat in Turkey and in Syria. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Mediterranean region - southern Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Syria

Habitat

Mixed montane forest, though much of its habitat has been modified into maquis vegetation. It grows on shallow, rocky soils, usually on calcareous or granite rocks; at elevations from 600 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Juniperus drupacea is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -15°c when fully dormant[].
Requires a sunny position. Succeeds in dry soils, tolerating drought once it is established[]. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[]. Prefers a limestone soil, growing well on chalk, but it also succeeds in very acid soils[]. Grows well on dry banks[].
A very ornamental plant[] that is fairly fast growing for a juniper[, ]. A tree at Westonbirt Arboretum was 7 metres tall after 23 years[, ].
This species is resistant to honey fungus[].
Cones are rarely if ever produced in Britain, could this be due to a lack of female trees?[] Only male trees have been seen in cultivation in Britain[].
Seed takes 2 years to mature[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Large and sweet[, , ]. It can be used for flavoring foods, as seasoning for pickling, and
in alcoholic beverages[]. The brown, globose cones are about 20 - 25mm in diameter and take 2 years to mature[, ].
The cones, which have high levels of sugar have been used in Turkey for making marmalade or as dried fruit[].

Medicinal

The essential oil of the juniper berry has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases, such as bronchitis, arthritis, and several parasitic diseases[].

A study has shown that the essential oil from the fruits is an excellent source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds[].

Other Uses

The essential oil of the juniper berry has been used in aroma formulations for perfumery and cosmetics[].

The wood is decay-resistant. A valuable timber when trees of sufficient dimension are available[].
Although historically this species has been used as a source of timber for carpentry and fuel there is little evidence today of its extensive use[].

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[].