Ashe Juniper - The Good and the Bad

The Good:
Our Ashe Juniper (known in the hill country as Mountain Cedar or Post Cedar), is a contentious tree. It is native to the Hill Country, but once covered much smaller areas in its range. It was controlled by wildfires until the European settlers began to suppress wildfires. Now, it is considered invasive by ranchers and landowners. Here are both the good and bad things about this native that you should know before you remove every last one!
• It is native to our Edwards Plateau
• It provides shelter for many native birds and small mammals
• It is an important food source for our native birds and small mammals
• It can provide a great visual and wind screen since it is dense and evergreen
• It takes up less water from its roots than Live Oaks (see www.texas huntfish.com)
• It is drought and heat resistant and tolerates our low winter temperatures
• Only the male trees send out pollen (so keep the ladies – the ones with the blue berries)
• It loves rocky hillsides and works to prevent erosion on those sites
• Deer don’t eat it!
• It is the larval host plant for Juniper Hairstreak and Olive Butterflies
• The bark of mature junipers is the only nesting material that the Golden Cheeked Warbler will use
The Bad:
• It is very flammable and should be removed from the 30 – 50’ perimeter around the house and buildings
• Many folks are very allergic to the pollen that the male trees produce in large quantities
• It holds the first ¼ inch of rain in its canopy preventing it from getting to the water table or plants below
• Large stands probably affect stream flow or groundwater recharge by as much as 5%
• It will take over grassland and live oak savannahs
So, think twice about removing your Ashe Juniper. It would be a great assistance to our wildlife if you would leave a couple of mature trees on your property. Ashe Juniper can be removed by pulling small trees or cutting them off below the last green branch. They don’t regenerate from the roots.