This ornamental tree, popular in gardens across north-west Europe, is one of the junipers that develops scale-like leaves at maturity. Some botanists place such junipers in a separate section (‘Sabina’). First introduced to Britain in 1767, it typically grows on rocky ground from near sea level to quite high elevations.

Native to China, Japan, Korea and Myanmar.

Dioecious.

Medium (20m), bushy, columnar or conical. Bark grey-brown, fissured and thinly peeling. Juvenile leaves are needles, 5-10mm, stiffly pointed, mostly in threes, green outside and pale blue-green within. Mature leaves are scale-like, 2-3mm, thick, smooth, with a pungent woody smell. Male cones yellow, 4-6mm, at branch tips. Female cones fleshy galbuli, 5-10mm, green to blue-black over 18 months, with 2-4 seeds.

A very cold-hardy species (-30°C). Prefers well-drained soils in sun, but will tolerate some shade. Tolerant of urban pollution and to a lesser degree, salt-laden winds. Quite slow-growing.

No notable associations where introduced.

Infection by brunchorstia disease (a fungal pathogen) can cause dieback and potentially tree death.

Ornamental, especially as garden specimens, with many cultivars (usually female) varying in foliage and form, including the upright ‘Obelisk’ for small gardens. It is popular for bonsai or penjing, known for natural-looking twisted, gnarled stems and responding well to pruning, shaping and wiring; ‘Shimpaku’ is a popular cultivar.