Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper
Juniperus scopulorum
Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 2–3 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Columnar forms; vector for Cedar Apple Rust.
Photos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Juniperus scopulorum
- Variety / cultivar
- Rocky Mountain: Medora, Skyrocket, Woodward
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 15–25 ft tall and 2–3 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~3 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Pollinator value
- low
- Tolerates
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
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 7–10 days through the first 2 summers (less for xeric pines in heavy clay, they're prone to root rot). Winter water 1–2×/month October–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 Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper get?
- It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 2–3 ft wide.
- How much room does Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper need?
- Give Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper about 3 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper grow into?
- Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper hardy on the Front Range?
- Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper grow?
- Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper live?
- Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper deer-resistant?
- Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Rocky Mountain: Medora 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.
Track Rocky Mountain: Medora Juniper prices
See also
Related trees
