Juniper Juniperus communis

Juniper
©Bob Gibbons/Plantlife

Juniper is declining across Britain. Its populations are getting older and with old age are producing fewer viable seeds. In addition, changes in land management over time have meant that Juniper seedlings do not have the necessary conditions to succeed, usually because of either under or over grazing.

In September 2004, Plantlife ran the Juniper Survey across Scotland, northern England and north Wales. We received over 400 records and we are now analysing the results to be published later this year.

Managing uplands for Juniper

Juniper is very specific in the conditions it needs to regenerate successfully and thrive. Plantlife has produced a leaflet that details how to manage Juniper at upland sites in Scotland, northern England and north Wales.

Download Managing uplands for Juniper (PDF 1.13mb)

In addition, Plantlife with Forest Research have set up a series of trials to monitor how juniper responds to management techniques that include cattle grazing and scarification (scraping the ground bare to provide seed beds). Trials have been set up with local land owners at five sites across Scotland and will be monitored over the next five years.

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