These Junipers, found in many northern countries of the world, creep low to the ground and spread to seven feet in diameter.  This specimen is growing right at tree-line and is only eight inches tall; those growing at lower elevation are commonly two-to-four feet high (but may be columnar trees to 18 feet tall).

In his Species Plantarum of 1753, Linnaeus named both the Juniperus genus and this species.

Colorado plant authority, William Weber, states that Juniperus communis is our only true Juniperus species; the other plants which we have been calling Juniperus should, according to Weber, be called Sabina. Most other botanists disagree and retain the Juniperus genus name.

See Juniperus osteosperma.

Montane, sub-alpine. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Bear Creek Trail, October 4, 2012.

Below tree-line Juniperus communis often occurs in widely spreading, tall patches.

Montane, sub-alpine. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Priest Gulch Trail, September 26, 2012.

Leaves are awl-shaped, sharply pointed, and often marked with a white band on the upper surface.

Cones ripen in the second season, turning from a light green to light blue.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Juniperus communis