Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora)
Juniperus scopulorum
Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) (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 to 25 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Columnar forms; vector for Cedar Apple Rust.
low water15 to 25 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wideXeric / water-wise
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) John Powers, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Colin Croft, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Colin Croft, 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
- high
- Tolerates
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 15 to 25 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~3 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Deer often browse this
- Colorado native
- No
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 Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) 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 Juniper (Medora) get?
- It matures to about 15 to 25 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide.
- How much room does Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) need?
- Give Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) about 3 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) grow into?
- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) 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 Juniper (Medora) hardy on the Front Range?
- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) 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 Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) grow?
- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) live?
- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) deer-resistant?
- No. Deer often browse Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora), so plan on protecting it where deer roam.
- Is Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) a good firewise plant near the house?
- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) 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 Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora) 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.
