Taylor Juniper Trees for Sale

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on April 20, 2022

Planting instructions

Site your Taylor juniper tree where it will receive full sun, in soil that drains well. If you’re planting multiple trees to form a hedge or windbreak, place them 5 to 6 feet apart. Unpot the sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Place the tree in the hole and, while holding it upright, fill in around it with good-quality topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of an organic mulch, such as bark chips, around the root zone to conserve moisture, but keep it from touching the tree’s bark.

Watering and nutrients

For the first season after planting, water your Taylor juniper tree every few days unless you receive rain. Once the tree is established and you see robust signs of growth, you can taper back on supplemental watering. When established, Taylor juniper trees are drought-resistant and shouldn’t need additional water. Fertilize your juniper in spring and early summer with a light application of a product that is designed for conifers.

Pollination

Most junipers are monoecious, which means that a single plant has both male and female reproductive structures. Junipers don’t have actual flowers, but instead reproduce through male and female cones. The male cones release pollen, which fertilizes the female cones. After one or two years, the cones give way to juniper berries, which are modified cones that contain the seeds.

Pruning

The Taylor juniper tree maintains its tall, pyramidal form naturally, without a lot of trimming. Prune out any dead, diseased, or damaged branches whenever you see them — and that may be all you need to do. It can be pruned lightly to encourage a more hedge-like shape if you have multiple trees planted together. You can also prune to control the height if, for example, you wanted to grow the tree in a container and keep it to a fairly small size.

Pests and diseases

Although fairly easy to care for, the Taylor juniper tree may experience pests such as bagworms and spider mites. Bagworms are the bigger worry, since a severe infestation can kill a tree. You may see the characteristic bags that hold the insect’s eggs — if so, remove them immediately. You may also use an insecticide that contains Bacillus thuringiensis to control them. The Taylor juniper tree may also experience cedar apple rust, which may show itself as a brown gall on the branches. Trim out any galls and dispose of them. It’s most likely to show up if you are also growing apple trees or other cedars. The Taylor juniper tree has some resistance to cedar apple rust, but keep an eye on your trees nonetheless, since infection is possible.

Achieving maximum results

The Taylor juniper tree is a cultivated variety of the eastern red cedar tree. The reason for that tree’s name is because its foliage turns a reddish-brown color in winter — so don’t be dismayed if your tree slowly changes from its normal silver-green with the change in seasons. You may see bright blue berries on your tree in the winter, providing visual interest in your garden. Although these berries may be edible, depending on the variety of juniper, they are not often eaten because of their bitter taste. They are actually not a true berry, but are a modified cone, and have been used as a spice in some Asian and European cuisines. Juniper berries are, in addition, beloved by songbirds, and the closely-gathered foliage of the Taylor juniper tree makes an excellent nesting site. If you are interested in a tree that will support local wildlife, the Taylor juniper tree is an excellent choice.

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Customer Reviews

Anonymous

Verified Buyer August 3, 2021 at 12:18pm

Healthy Sturdy Tree

Our trees arrived and were very healthy. Once we planted them, they continue to thrive! I'm looking forward to seeing them grow!