ID Please...

Hello bonsai community!!!

I dug a tree up from my back yard two summers ago and put it into a pot. That was before I knew what bonsai was. Anywhoo, I potted it up and it's been left on the porch ever since. I had always assumed it was a Leland Cypress because it sprouted the year after we planted some Leland Cypress' in the back yard. Now that I looked at it again I realized how mistaken I was. I think it is a juniper. Still, because I have never successfully IDed a plant without help I am asking for your opinions.

Juvenile Foliage:


Adult Foliage:


Trunk:


Entire Tree:


The reason for the die-back in the second foliage is because when I potted it the soil line is only 1/3 of the way up the pot so almost all the foliage inside (which is what the pic is of) has died. ):

Looks like a Juniper to me but there are many different types and some are very similar.

It's definately a juniper! what's it's growth pattern? upright, low and spreading???? From a first blush I'd say it's either J. Chinensis "fomenia" or J. communis but alot depends on it's growth pattern. If it actually came up from seed, I'd just say it's J. chinensis.

Randy

I would guess if it just popped up, its a J. Virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar). I know that around here they are almost weeds, they grow anywhere and everywhere. They are found a lot along fences, thanks to birds eating the berries and then leaving the seeds in their "presents".

Mr. Moody wrote:I would guess if it just popped up, its a J. Virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar). I know that around here they are almost weeds, they grow anywhere and everywhere. They are found a lot along fences, thanks to birds eating the berries and then leaving the seeds in their "presents".

Your probably right on that Mr. Moody! They come up like weeds here in Kentucky too. They are strongly upright in form when they are young.

Randy

To the popping up like weeds comment: I've never seen one here before... And I've been looking lately. However, that does make sense considering there is a highway next-door. Yes, it is upright and twin trunk.

Another random question, can someone be allergic to J. Virginiana? When I lifted the lower foliage it gave my hand a red rash. It could have just been the prickly foliage irritating my skin but I thought that I'd ask.

I dont know about allergic, irritating deffinately. sometimes just looking at the foliage too hard can cause you to break out, haha.
Seriously though, the pollen does cause some people problems and to a lesser extent the wood can too.

its more likely the prickles, i had the same thing happen to me when i transplanted a Virginius of mine from the ground to a pot, the needles are as they are called needles, and theres a lot of them.

I would agree with both areas>

1. J. virginiana

2. rash caused by needles, sometimes outdoor. ground level plants get sprayed by cats, the brown areas of your plant might indicate this, the cat urine combined with the puncture of the needles could cause problems

It's a well known problem that some people are allergic to Junipers. Surgical gloves may be the answer.

will baddeley wrote:It's a well known problem that some people are allergic to Junipers. Surgical gloves may be the answer.

I guess I'll have to go out and buy some latex free gloves, just to be safe. I'm allergic to latex.

Nemus, You can also use an OTC hydrocotizone creme to help with the itch and rash.