Alligator Juniper ©Brandt Magic

Scientific name: Juniperus deppeana

Description:  Alligator juniper is a medium to large evergreen tree native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. The bark is very distinctive, forming hard, dark gray-brown, cracked square plates resembling alligator skin. It is sometimes multi-stemmed and grows quickly. It is highly adaptable to dry, sunny, and hot locations.

Size: Can grow up to 20-50 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide

Caution: Susceptible to Aphids, Beetle Borers, Spider Mites, Armillaria, Root Rot, and Rust.

Leaf: Evergreen, Conifer.

Fruit: Berrylike cones (technically not a fruit but referred to as berries) are green when young and mature to an orange-brown with a whitish waxy bloom.

Flowers: Inconspicuous, blooming from January to March. Pollen cones are cream to brownish in color.

Bark:  Forms hard, dark gray-brown, cracked square plates resembling alligator skin.

Form: Broadly pyramidal or round-topped crown shape. Deep-green to blue-green foliage.

Climate-Readiness: Can thrive in USDA Zones 7 to 9, making it suitable for a range of climates in New Mexico.

Soils: Thrives in well-draining soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Sandy loam and gravelly soil are ideal for preventing root rot and ensuring optimal growth.

Management/Care: Water deeply but infrequently. They are drought-tolerant but benefit from occasional watering, especially in the first few years. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.