What is a Juniper Hollywood?

A Hollywood Juniper, or Juniperus chinensis, is a rustic conifer with unique, twisted branches. Although it has a conical natural cone shape, it can be grown in many different forms. It is often kept to a smaller size and used as a blanket or landscape accent; When allowed to grow to its full height, it will reach 20 to 30 feet (6-9 m), which makes it an effective windbreak. Like other junipers, it produces blue berries that turn red at maturity, which can take several years. Hollywood gin is native to Japan, but takes its name from its popularity in Southern California, where it is among the most common yard and garden trees.

Hollywood junipers are easily identified not only by their unusual branches, but also by their sharp, pointed needles, which grow in tight clusters. The color of Hollywood juniper needles varies, depending on the cultivar, and varies from greyish green to blue-green. They are often cut into topiaries and bonsai and kept as potted plants.

Info About Juniper Hollywood

These garden trees are known for their sturdiness and durability and will grow almost everywhere. They will survive the coldest winters as well as very hot summers. Junipers however tolerate very moist soil, and the needles tend to turn brown and fall if left in stagnant water. Consistent full sun will provide the best color of growth and needle, but Hollywood juniper tolerates partial shade, especially in warmer climates. Adding fertilizer rich in nitrogen will help ensure healthy needle growth.

While Hollywood juniper is often portrayed as a deer-resistant plant, deer do not often eat when food is scarce, and can cause severe damage to these conifers. In addition, male deer will often rub their woods on the bark of these trees. Both types of damage can be avoided by wrapping the gin with chicken wire or other fencing material during the fall and winter when deer are more likely to cause damage.

Junipers are susceptible to rust disease Gymnosporangium, which is a common mushroom in apple trees. To help prevent Hollywood juniper from contracting this disease, this tree should never be planted near the apple trees. Worms and caterpillars can hurt as well, especially the juniper web worm, making canvases among the branches mixed with needles and dead leaves. Worms feed abundantly late in the spring, before turning into copper colored moths.

Age of Juniper Hollywood

Hollywood juniper wood is very difficult, and can become difficult to cut as the ages of trees. Pruning can be done on young trees with a good pair of pruners, but a chain saw may be needed to prune larger trees. Junipers do not easily recover from severe size, so it should be done in moderation. In addition, they do not appreciate transplantation and may suffer from transplant shock. To avoid this problem, young trees must be planted where they must stay.

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• Deer do eat a hollywood juniper when food is scarce.
• Caterpillars are considered a pest of Hollywood junipers.