One-seed Juniper
Juniperus monosperma
One-seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 10 to 20 ft tall and 10 to 15 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Needs a dry site.
Colorado nativelow water10 to 20 ft tall and 10 to 15 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) CK2AZ, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by CK2AZ
- Photo 2: (c) CK2AZ, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 10 to 20 ft tall and 10 to 15 ft wide
- Mature form
- Irregular / open
- Spacing / clearance
- ~15 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Ignitable (CSU): keep 30+ ft from the house, thinned
Common problems on the Front Range
- Spider mites in heat
- Phomopsis and Kabatina tip blight
- Cedar-apple rust alternate host
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7 to 10 days through the first 2 summers (less for xeric pines in heavy clay, they're prone to root rot). Winter water 1 to 2×/month October to March when soil is dry and unfrozen, evergreens transpire year-round. Year 3: taper to twice per month in summer; only during extreme drought thereafter.
Frequently asked questions
- Is One-seed Juniper good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, One-seed Juniper is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does One-seed Juniper get?
- It matures to about 10 to 20 ft tall and 10 to 15 ft wide.
- How much room does One-seed Juniper need?
- Give One-seed Juniper about 15 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does One-seed Juniper grow into?
- One-seed Juniper typically grows into an irregular, picturesque outline that varies from plant to plant. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is One-seed Juniper hardy on the Front Range?
- One-seed Juniper is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does One-seed Juniper need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does One-seed Juniper grow?
- One-seed Juniper is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does One-seed Juniper live?
- One-seed Juniper is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is One-seed Juniper native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is One-seed Juniper deer-resistant?
- One-seed Juniper is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is One-seed Juniper a good firewise plant near the house?
- One-seed Juniper is listed by CSU Extension among the more ignitable plants, so keep it 30 or more feet from the house and keep it thinned and well maintained. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is One-seed Juniper prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- One-seed Juniper can be affected by spider mites in heat and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
Find One-seed Juniper near you
See also
- Low-water trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Colorado native trees for the Front Range
- Small trees for Front Range yards
- Deer-resistant plants and shrubs for Colorado's Front Range
- Native plants of Colorado for Front Range yards
- Xeriscape plants for Colorado
- Evergreen privacy trees for Colorado's Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
