Juniper and cedar rusts
Gymnosporangium spp.
What you will see
Galls and witches' brooms on juniper; usually little effect on health.
How to protect
- Prevention
- —
- By hand springRemove galls when pruning.
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Tree · Cupressaceae family
Rocky Mountain juniper
Juniperus scopulorum
Full sun in a garden ~9 ft 10⅛ in × ~1 ft 11⅝ in to −93 °F
In short a 10-second read
SunFull sun
in a garden after 10 years~9 ft 10⅛ in
in the wild up to 32.8 ft
spacing 3 ft 3⅜ in
in the wild up to 32.8 ft
spacing 3 ft 3⅜ in
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
WinterNo winter protection
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h
Soil
tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
Watering
Frost
−93 °F
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
16 ft 4⅞ in–32.8 ft× spread 3 ft 3⅜ in–9 ft 10⅛ in
Plant 3 ft 3⅜ in apart.
Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
container plant: March–April, September–October; root-balled: March–April, September–October
Feeding
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
May–June
Feeding
Nutrition.
Horn meal
up to 0.18 oz/sq ft a year, if the soil needs it · May–June
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Pests and diseases
Common problems and what to do.
The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.
Juniper and cedar rustsdisease
What you will see
Galls and witches' brooms on juniper; usually little effect on health.
How to protect
- Prevention
- —
- By hand springRemove galls when pruning.
Sources (1)
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does Rocky Mountain juniper tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does Rocky Mountain juniper need?
At maturity 3 ft 3⅜ in–9 ft 10⅛ in wide and 16 ft 4⅞ in–32.8 ft tall; recommended spacing 3 ft 3⅜ in.
Juniper and cedar rusts — what can you do?
— Remove galls when pruning.
Sources (13) Checked 24 October 2026
- api.gbif.org 2
- ducplant.sk
- landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu
- rhs.org.uk 2 3
- hgic.clemson.edu
- lwg.bayern.de
- plants.usda.gov
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
oriental arborvitae
Platycladus orientalis
16 ft 4⅞ in–32.8 ft × 6 ft 6¾ in–13 ft 1½ in
Low maintenancetree
American arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
26 ft 3 in–65.6 ft × 8 ft 2⅜ in–14 ft 9⅛ in
Low maintenancetree
