General: Occurs naturally from the western Great Plains throughout the Rocky Mountains and southwestern Canada, including Utah. Very drought resistant. Shade intolerant.
Landscape Use: Often used in windbreaks due to its toughness and retention of lower branches; also good for visual screens and foundation plantings. Many cultivars in the landscape trade with a wide variety of foliage colors; needs (and wants) very little water once established. Zones 3-7.
Leaves
Awl-shaped or scale-like; pressed close to the twig; not arranged in overlapping pairs; variable in color; retains blue-green color in winter; evergreen.
Cupressaceae – Cypress Family
Flowers/fruit: Dioecious. Berry-like fruit takes two years to mature; nearly round; 1/4" to 1/3" in diameter; bright blue; often covered with a white coating; usually contains 2 seeds.
Bark: Brown to gray; fibrous; peels in narrow strips.
Wood: Soft; lightweight; light red heartwood with narrow white sapwood; see eastern redcedar for uses.
Gambel Oak Trees
Bigtooth Maple
