Blue Point Juniper Tree Facts
Blue Point Juniper Tree Facts. A cultivar of Chinese juniper, Blue Point juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point') is an evergreen plant commonly grown as a shrub or a tree. The plant has a pyramid-shaped habit made up of dense columns of bluish green, scale-like leaves. The tree requires little pruning and maintenance to look its best.
A cultivar of Chinese juniper, Blue Point juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point') is an evergreen plant commonly grown as a shrub or a tree. The plant has a pyramid-shaped habit made up of dense columns of bluish green, scale-like leaves. The tree requires little pruning and maintenance to look its best.
Appearance
Blue Point typically grows to be about 12-feet tall, with a spread of about 8 feet. The tree has a dense, pyramidal or conical form and a narrow trunk with brown, shredding bark. Blue Point has wedge-shaped, light green needles that mature into diamond-shaped, scaled leaves. Foliage has a strong, often unpleasant aroma that often repels common animal pests such as deer.
Location
Chinese juniper is native of Mongolia, China and Japan, though it is commonly grown as an ornamental or landscape plant in both North America and Europe. Often grown as a specimen or Christmas tree for lawns, this shrub may also help frame an entryway or walkway, or to act as a windbreak. Blue Point juniper requires full sunlight to truly thrive, although other Chinese junipers prefer partial shade.
Culture
Blue Point juniper is adaptable to a wide range of soils, and is not picky about soil pH. The shrub will suffer in poorly draining soils. Water regularly, especially when the plant is young. Regular watering helps to establish a healthy, deep root system. Reduce water after plant is established, and during the winter. Fertilize annually before new growth emerges in the spring. Chinese juniper is generally tolerant of wind.
Problems
Voles and juniper webworm may both become a problem for the Blue Point juniper. Reduce voles' burrowing by applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch, and remove nearby dead grasses and perennials because these may provide shelter for the rodents. Juniper webworms feed on foliage and leave telltale silky threads. Remove webworms by releasing natural predators or using a systemic insecticide. Rust is a common fungal disease that may be treated with fungicide.
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