Among several, a single tree dominates, the Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). Others in less numbers include Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) and Single Leaf Pinyon (Pinus monophylla).
Grow some Big Sage and Sulphur Flower intermixed and the Quail will love you. The Mourning Dove will love you, and you'll be getting close to pure xeric landscaping. There are plants that can be integrated with natives to enhance the interest. Native junipers are good foundation plants. If you actually live on land that has old growth juniper, save them! Leave them be!
A sad tale in Nevada's history is the destruction of old growth Juniper forests by a method called chaining, which is to connect thick chains between large land roving tractors to drag the trees -- whole forests -- out of the ground. This method was first used to make way for cattle grazing, but is still used today in clearing land for use, shopping malls, housing developments, casinos. This controversial method of forest clearing is described in Doug Boyd's classic book, Rolling Thunder.
Is to plant Juniper to go against the tradition of chaining?
