Ashe juniper, like many juniper species, is commonly referred to as a ‘cedar’, and in Texas is often called ‘post cedar’ or ‘mountain cedar’. Historically used for fence posts, telephone, and telegraph poles, this plant grows extensively throughout central Texas and has relatively hard and decay resistant wood. Allergies associated with Ashe juniper are often called ‘cedar fever’.
Culture for Ashe Juniper
Ashe juniper is tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including alkaline and fairly low organic soils. Ashe juniper is often found along fence lines where birds have deposited seeds after feeding on berries. Moderate growth rate can be significantly accelerated with irrigation.
Concerns about Ashe Juniper
May be impacted by Phytophthora root disease in heavy clay, wet soils. Host for ‘cedar-apple rust’ and other Gymnosporangium rusts, causing branch cankers. Other fungi such as Seiridium and Phomopsis also cause branch canker and dieback. Bagworm infestations lead to overall browning and spider mite damage is also common during summer months. Sensitive to buried root collars, particularly in wet soils.
Management Practices for Ashe Juniper
Apply preventative treatments for Phytophthora in heavy clay, low areas, or over-irrigated sites. Monitor for mite and bagworm outbreaks and treat as appropriate. Potassium phosphite treatments prior to or during heat or drought stress will help reduce incidence of canker fungi such as Phomopsis or Seiridium. Rust cankers should be pruned to reduce chance of spread to the alternate host in the Rose family (apple, hawthorn, pear, pyracantha, amelanchier, etc.) where it causes leaf spotting and defoliation.