Juniperus grandis
Sierra juniper, grand juniper, Grand Juniper
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Family: Cupressaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Juniperus grandis (Sierra juniper) is a native California tree in the Cupressaceae family, recognized by tree stature and bark color.
Sierra juniper is a native tree found in the northern Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert mountains, growing on exposed, dry, rocky slopes, flats, forests, and pinyon/juniper woodlands at elevations of 100 to 3,100 meters. Although no specific flowering time is noted, this distinctive tree features blue-green seed cones maturing to blue-black that are 5 to 9 millimeters long and highly resinous. Growing 8 to 20 meters tall, sometimes reaching 30 meters, it develops a characteristic red-brown bark with a generally dioecious habit. Its leaves are uniquely arranged in whorls of three, closely appressed and scale-like, forming a six-ranked pattern across the branches. The tree produces seeds with 2 to 4 cotyledons, contributing to its resilience in challenging high-elevation and rocky environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; tree stature and bark color are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Exposed, dry, rocky slopes, flats, forest, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 100-3100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Nevada, Plumas, Mariposa, Tulare, Mono, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Inyo, Placer, Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Siskiyou, Lassen, Shasta, Sierra
Outside California: western Nevada
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperocyparis: Juniper has fleshy berry-like cones; Hesperocyparis has woody round cones with shield-shaped scales.; vs Pinus: Juniper needles are single or in whorls of 3; pine needles come bundled in groups of 2-5 with papery sheaths.; vs Calocedrus: Juniper has berry-like cones; Calocedrus has elongated woody cones with flattened, scale-like sprays.; vs Cupressus: Juniper has berry-like cones; Cupressus has round woody cones with shield-shaped scales.; vs Salvia: Juniper is woody with evergreen needles or scales; Salvia is herbaceous with opposite aromatic leaves and lipped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Juniperus grandis native to California?
Yes. Juniperus grandis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Juniperus grandis grow?
Juniperus grandis occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Nevada, Plumas, Mariposa, Tulare, Mono, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 100-3100 m.
What plant family does Juniperus grandis belong to?
Juniperus grandis is in the Cupressaceae family, genus Juniperus.
What habitat does Juniperus grandis grow in?
Juniperus grandis grows in Exposed, dry, rocky slopes, flats, forest, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.