VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Juniperus ashei | Ashe Juniper 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
The wood of Ashe juniper is aromatic, close-grained, hard and light, but
not strong [47].  The heartwood of Ashe juniper is durable and is used
for fenceposts, crossties, poles, small woodenware, and fuel [32,41,47].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Juniper "berries" are consumed by many species of birds and small
mammals, including bobwhite, American robin, Gambel's quail, cedar
waxwing, curve-billed thrasher, gray fox, raccoon, and thirteen-lined
ground squirrel [47].  The foliage of Ashe juniper is occasionally
browsed by goats and deer [47].  Individual trees may be more palatable
than the general population [38].  Ashe juniper browse is not considered
a valuable food for deer or for livestock [22].

The bark of Ashe juniper is very shreddy and is used for nesting
material, most notably by the rare golden-cheeked warbler [25,41].  This
bird appears to be obligately dependent on the presence of Ashe juniper
in its habitat [25].  It is not currently listed as endangered or
threatened [59].


PALATABILITY : 
Ashe juniper "berries" are highly palatable to many species of birds and
small mammals [10,41,47].  The browse is of low palatability [10,56].
Heavy browsing of Ashe juniper in winter and spring is an indicator of
deer overpopulation and poor rangeland conditions [10].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The nutritional value of mixed plant parts (leaves, stems and berries) 
of Ashe juniper is as follows [22]:

                        % of dry weight
protein                       6-10
digestible organic matter    60-70
phosphorus                 0.07-0.15


COVER VALUE : 
Ashe juniper has high escape and cover value for a number of birds and
mammals, most notably the white-tailed deer [7].  It is important for
nesting and roosting for many species of birds [10].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
All native juniper species are valued as ornamentals [23].  The bark of
Ashe juniper was used by Native Americans to make mats, saddles and
other items [32].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
In the last century on the Edwards Plateau in Texas, scrub oak (Texas
live oak [Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis] and Vasey oak [Q. pungens
var. vaseyana])-juniper communities have spread onto the mixed prairie.
This vegetative shift is due largely to the absence of fire, but
overgrazing, seed dispersal by livestock, and a possible shift in
climate are contributing factors [38,39,42].  It is currently estimated
that Ashe juniper occupies 0.5 million acres in southern Oklahoma and
8.6 million acres in Texas, much of it on former grasslands [16].  Large
dense stands of Ashe juniper are considered detrimental to both
livestock and wildlife; white-tailed deer prefer open stands and edges
close to cover and a variety of foods.  Dense stands of Ashe juniper
reduce the amount of understory vegetation, resulting in a decrease in
available forage [33].

Chemical control:  Grumbles [16] reported that spot-application of
picloram at a rate of 0.1 ounce active ingredient (4 mL) per 3 feet (90
cm) of crown canopy diameter resulted in 97 percent mortality, except
for the very largest trees (over 15 feet [4.5 m] crown diameter).
Failure to kill the largest trees was attributed to heavy litter layers
and low precipitation.  The study also determined that spring
applications were more effective than fall applications.  Other authors
do not believe that herbicides are effective or economical in
controlling Ashe juniper, and that use of herbicides can be detrimental
to other species [40,49].

Mechanical control:  Thirteen to eighteen years after Ashe juniper was
removed by treedozing only (no burning of piles or downed trees), Ashe
juniper comprised 50 percent or more of the total brush cover.  Such
treatment leaves the seedbank intact, allowing Ashe juniper to
reestablish fairly rapidly.  In similar areas where Ashe juniper was
removed by treedozing and the piles burned 5 years later, Ashe juniper
comprised less than 14 percent of total brush cover [35].  Double
chaining Ashe juniper into piles and then burning the piles the same
year reduced Ashe juniper cover by 93 percent [38].  Ashe juniper trees
less than 5 feet (1.5 m) tall are not pulled up by chaining, so the
areas need to be broadcast burned to kill the young Ashe junipers
between piles.  Single chaining is probably effective on pure, even-aged
Ashe juniper stands and is less expensive than double chaining.  The
double chaining method is recommended for stands which are uneven-aged
or have other species present in substantial numbers [38].  To summarize
the recommended treatments:  Ashe juniper should be reduced by
mechanical means and then burned about 5 years later.  Any undesirable
species can be spot treated with herbicides; the area should be burned
again when Ashe juniper saplings reach 4 feet (1.2 m) in height
[33,34,35,52,53].

Sprouting species, such as Mohr oak and flameleaf sumac (Rhus
copallina), may increase on rangeland where Ashe juniper is controlled
by burning.  The particular species depends on prior establishment,
treatment, and factors related to soil and aspect.  Brush species have
to be evaluated as to their contribution to management goals.  It is
often the case that the sprouting species are palatable and nutritious
for livestock and wildlife, and can be controlled by grazing practices.
Other species not removed by fire may not be desireable for livestock or
wildlife, and need to be controlled by other means (usually herbicides)
[33,35].

In general, it is neither possible nor desirable to eradicate all trees
and brush from the rangelands on the Edwards Plateau.  Current
management on public lands and on private ranches recognizes the
economic value of white-tailed deer.  A mixed pattern of open stands and
grassland is more desirable for deer and is also acceptable for
livestock [7,38,39].

Culture:  Germination of Ashe juniper seeds is enhanced by cold
stratification at 41 degrees Fahrenheit (4 deg C) for 120 days.  Ashe
juniper seeds should be sown in the fall or cold stratified and sown in
the spring.  They can be drill seeded or hand broadcast and should be
mulched.  Seedlings need light shade the first growing season, as they
are easily damaged by excessive heat.  Junipers in general are resistent
to damping off and root rot [23].

Diseases:  Ashe juniper is susceptible to juniper blight (Phomopsis
juniperova), which infects foliage and stem tissue.  This is a
particular problem in nursery stock.  Total loss of seedlings can occur
in epidemic years.  Older trees are seldom killed; mortality occurs
through girdling of small diameter stems.  Control consists of the
fungicide, Benomyl, applied throughout the growing season.  Ashe juniper
is resistant to cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae)
[23,37,47].

Related categories for Species: Juniperus ashei | Ashe Juniper