California Juniper in Chicago???

[chicago1980]

I have been given mixed messages on the subject.

Would a California Juniper survive in Chicago. The tree was collected at 5-7000 feet from mountain area where it is cold with lots of snow.

???

Thank you for the advice.
A guy with a deadwood dream.

 

[GrimLore]

It sounds like you are referring to a Utah juniper - Juniperus osteosperma which does ok in USDA 5. California Juniper - Juniperus californica are from USDA Zones 8 - 10 much further South.

Grimmy

 

[chicago1980]

"Ok" hmmm that sounds like I should stay away and focus on RMJ.
this is the possible tree.

 

[bonsaibp]

I wouldn't try it. A RMJ should do fine though.

 

[chicago1980]

I wouldn't try it. A RMJ should do fine though.

Thanks now the struggle of finding a RMJ.

 

[markyscott]

Thanks now the struggle of finding a RMJ.

Have you tried here?

http://www.goldenarrowbonsai.com/goldenarrowbonsai.com/Home.html

Scott

 

[chicago1980]

Yes and Andy is great! May is hopefully a good month!

 

[Vance Wood]

I know people here in Michigan that have tried to grow California Juniper and all have failed in two to three years. Oddly I believe those that have been grafted with Shimpaku foliage seem to survive. I cannot confirm this I have only heard of it.

 

[jriddell88]

I know people here in Michigan that have tried to grow California Juniper and all have failed in two to three years. Oddly I believe those that have been grafted with Shimpaku foliage seem to survive. I cannot confirm this I have only heard of it.

You know I was wondering the same thing.. does it change if grafted with a colder hardy stock? No experience for me and haven't read much about it....any insight?

 

[Vance Wood]

I have posted what I know and the two individuals who I knew with this information have passed.

 

[markyscott]

You know I was wondering the same thing.. does it change if grafted with a colder hardy stock? No experience for me and haven't read much about it....any insight?

Never tried it myself, but I've been assured it works and have often thought about grafting black pine onto ponderosa to see if I could grow them in Houston. If you want to be sure, you could always try grafting roots on as well. But if a collected native juniper is your goal, why not work with one that does well in cold weather from the beginning? Seems like a lot less work. In Houston we have a limited selection of native pines and junipers to work on. But in northern climates, there are some good juniper choices - RMJ is one to be sure, but Sierra, Utah, and Western should be candidates for Chicago and all have a similar habit to California junipers.

Scott

 

[Tieball]

Perhaps find a contact north of Chicago, north of you, for some great material. Upper Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan have some excellent mountain areas....with a wide range of weathered material in the ground....and certainly a lot of winter cold.

 

[michaelj]

FWIW, Western junipers are Sierra junipers - Juniperus occidentalis.

 

[markyscott]

FWIW, Western junipers are Sierra junipers - Juniperus occidentalis.

What you say is true, but they have a different range and the foliage looks different. Either would probably be a better candidate for Chicago than CJ.

Are there some local natives to try? Here in Texas, Ashe is a popular native.

Scott

 

[chicago1980]

This spring I'll definitely investigate local Junipers. I am 100% in the city of Chicago so I will attempt the good ol neighbors garden route, Factories, etc... Then I'll start to research some of the way north toward Michigan and Wisconsin.

 

[markyscott]

This spring I'll definitely investigate local Junipers. I am 100% in the city of Chicago so I will attempt the good ol neighbors garden route, Factories, etc... Then I'll start to research some of the way north toward Michigan and Wisconsin.

Looks like creeping juniper, common juniper, and eastern red cedar are all native to Illinois - have you tried any of those? I've seen a few great common juniper bonsai.

https://brendenstudio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/073.jpg

Scott

 

[Vance Wood]

Looks like creeping juniper, common juniper, and eastern red cedar are all native to Illinois - have you tried any of those? I've seen a few great common juniper bonsai.

https://brendenstudio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/073.jpg

Scott

Common Juniper are possible but from those I know who have tried them they are very difficult and not that easy to find. The Virgina Red Cedar is of course actually a Juniper is common all over the Mid West and into the Atlantic States. There are some differences in the nature of the tree depending on the location where it grew. I understand from some one whose judgement I trust that the Virginiannas that grow in Iowa are nicer than those that grow in Michigan.

 

[chicago1980]

I have not and common Junipers are one of my favorite! Thank you for the info.

 

[sorce]

The Hidden Gardens has Walter Tagged Junipers for sale.....

Via dude, via dude, signed off on by John Wayne himself....

Nice folks, that keep nice folk company.

I'd look into them.

I still dream of one I saw.

Sorce

 

[chicago1980]

Definitely like Hidden Garden and BC Bonsai. HG has a ton of Pines! Top quality stuff