JUNIPERUS CALIFORNICA

At a short distance, Juniperus Californica, commonly referred to as California Juniper, can assume a similar form to another Skull Rock area native, Larrea Tridentata. Both have a ring like arrangement especially when specimens have matured enough to be multi trunked. They grow mostly shrub like and erect, yet can seem whispy with long terminal branches, especially during drought periods. A closer inspection will reveal their differences, focusing Juniper. Foliage grows in numerous clustered needle like leaves covered with tiny scales. Fruits are berry like cones in shades of blue and gray. Native cultures would consume the fruits raw, or grind them into meal. As elevation increases, the Little San Bernardino Mountains show more of their Monzogranite slopes and less of their gravely soil, better suited for J. Californica.

Starting in the 1800s, mining operations emerged which required a tremendous amount of timber for construction, heating and cooking. Local forests of Juniper and Pinyon Pine were harvested and rapidly depleted. As the industry progressed, mines used a process called smelting, whereby minerals were extracted in liquid form. Smelting needed a large amount of heat over extended periods which lead to the implementation of charcoal ovens, fueled by Juniper and Pinyons. This devastation tide rendered entire surrounding areas treeless. The end of 1800 brought a breif stay, with  non Juniper materials being used for smelting. By the mid 1900s Ranchers and Land Management organizations would affix massive ship anchor chains to twin tractors which then were drug across thousands of acres of Pinyon-Juniper Woodland. In wake of the chains, grazing crops were planted, often invasive species. Chaining has been reduced dramatically since the end of 1990, but is reported to continue in our present day.

Managing resources for such a large population is challenging, and some harvesting is necessary and understandable. However eradicating entire populations causes biodiversity to decline, which poses many serious potential issues for future generations. Given the tendancy for this plant to regrow when its natural biome is restored, hope is garnered for a more respectful and mutually beneficial way to approach development.