31 
The Evergreen Trees oe Colorado. 
its hardy, drought-resisting character may be used where mois¬ 
ture is not plentiful 
The common juniper (Jiinipcrus communis) sometimes reaches 
a considerable size, especially in its eastern range. In its low form 
it is scarcely distinguishable from the former species, but is apt to 
be more erect and with straight, nearly flat leaves with tapering 
points. 
The distilled liquor commonly known as gin owes its flavor 
to the use of juniper berries in its manufacture. 
The common juniper is adapted to forming low hedges, as it 
endures clipping well. 
GENUS Sabina — red cedars, savins, junipers. 
(Plate VIIL I.) 
The common red cedar is the type of tree of the present genus. 
The foliage consists usually of two somewhat distinct forms of 
leaves. Those on the main branchlets are frequently one-fourth to 
three-eighths inches long on vigorously growing trees, with the 
pointed tips free and somewhat spreading. On the smaller lateral 
branchlets the leaves are usually less than one-eighth inch in 
length, are scale-shaped and broadly pointed. Both forms of 
leaves adhere closely to the branchlets on which they grow so that 
the younger stems are entirely covered by the leaves. After one 
or two years the longer leaves die and turn brown, but do not 
entirely disappear until the branch is several years older. 
The oldest leaves are shed in spring of each year at the begin¬ 
ning of the growing season, but instead of falling singly as in the 
junipers, the small lateral branchlets drop off, carrying with them 
the closely adhering scale-leaves. 
The heart wood of the red cedars is soft but fine grained and 
very durable and possesses a pleasing fragrance which is retained 
almost indefinitely. The wood has been extensively employed in 
the manufacture of water pails and wooden ware, for interior 
finish and for cabinets and chests for protecting furs and woolens 
against the ravages of moths. It is the principal wood used in 
the manufacture of lead pencils and is probably the only wood 
sold by the pound. The rapidly diminishing supply for this pur¬ 
pose is being felt by the manufacturers of pencils, who are begin¬ 
ning to consider possible substitutes. 
The oil of red cedar, distilled from the leaves and wood, is 
used to some extent as a perfume, as it imparts the characteristic 
odor of the wood to cheaper woods. 
The berries ripen in the autumn of the season they were 
produced. 
