The Conservation of Juniper: Longevity and Old Age

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Abstract
The life-span of juniper, J. communis communis L. apparently is about 100 yr in southern England on the chalk; whereas in the north of England exceptional individuals reach over 200 yr. Longevity may be related to growth rate; slower growing junipers can live longer, and the life-span can be correlated with the growth rate in the early years. Variability of growth rates makes comparison of trunk girths of specimens from different sites every unreliable as a basis for estimating age. Seed production in older junipers is reduced. Sex ratios are often not 1:1, and past history may be a factor in explaining sex ratios of present-day populations. Juniper populations are often roughly even-aged, and in these cases study of the age and expected longevity of the bushes allows for prediction of the ultimate life-span of such populations in the absence of regeneration. This is relevant to the management of juniper on nature reserves.

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