Secrets of Survival: The Ancient Utah Juniper
Secrets of Survival: The Ancient Utah Juniper
By Mimi Jorling
Junipers are trees and shrubs in the genus Juniperus. They are in a class of trees called conifers, which means they have needle or scale‐like leaves and their seeds and pollen are grown in cones. Other conifers are yews, spruce, and pine. They are mostly evergreen, meaning they do not lose their leaves, but stay green all year. Conifers you might be familiar with are the pines and spruces that are commonly used as Christmas trees. Different types of junipers Utah Juniper growing on cliff above the Colorado River.
grow all over the world. Humans have admired them and used their wood and berries for thousands of years. The Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) is one of many types of junipers that grow in the western part of the United States, from Montana and Idaho through Nevada, California, Utah, and Colorado, and down to Arizona and New Mexico. Utah Junipers grow in very arid (dry) environments. They live on rocky slopes where there is not much rain. Strong winds blow, which can dry them out even more. The wind also sweeps away, or erodes, soil and pushes relentlessly against the juniper’s trunk. Intense sunlight burns down on them as well, and reflects off surrounding rock. Despite all these challenges, juniper trees can grow to be very old! Their average lifespan is 400‐750 years, and some get even older. For a plant to live such a long time, it must be very strong and well adapted to its environment. Adaptations of Utah Juniper In order to protect themselves from hot sun and drying wind, junipers have developed a waxy coating on their leaves and berries. This holds moisture in and keeps sunlight from scorching the leaves. (Juniper “berries” are grayish‐blue and are actually fleshy cones.) Juniper roots are also specialized to fit their environment. Junipers grow one root straight down. This is called a tap root. (A carrot is also a tap root—one that we eat.) The juniper’s tap 1
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Secrets of Survival: The Ancient Utah Juniper
root can grow 40 feet straight down, and can push through crevices and rocks. This creates a strong anchor and allows the juniper to find water deep in the earth. The juniper also puts out lateral roots that grow just under the surface of the ground away from the tree. Lateral roots can grow up to 100 feet away from the tree. They also grab onto the soil, holding the tree in its place, and absorb shallow water from short rainfalls. These two different root systems provide insurance that should one system be damaged, the other will continue to grow. The juniper also has the ability to shut down certain branches and route all nutrients to a few branches in order to keep growing. This is crucial in times of stress, such as drought, when there isn’t enough water for the entire tree to survive. The gnarled and twisting habit (the word “habit” used when talking about plants refers to their shape) of Utah Junipers gives an indication of their age. It is a result of wind pushing on them. The trunk continuously twists very, very slowly over time. Indeed, the tightly twisted trunks look ancient. As difficult as these conditions sound, and as tough as junipers are, they do not live in these harsh environments by themselves. Many other plants and animals have found different ways to adapt as well. Shrubs, trees, flowers, and grasses, as well as birds and animals, live together in communities, twisted Utah Juniper trunk
supporting each other with food and shelter. 2
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Questions: Secrets of Survival: The Ancient Utah Juniper
Name:
Date: _______________________
1. What are junipers?
A
B
C
D
trees and shrubs
sand and gravel
rocks and minerals
flowers and vines
2. What does the author describe in the second paragraph?
A
B
C
D
similarities between Utah Junipers and Christmas trees
the environment of the Utah Juniper
the adaptations of the Utah Juniper
the animals that live in the same environment as the Utah Juniper
3. Read these sentences from the text.
“Juniper roots are also specialized to fit their environment. Junipers grow one root
straight down. This is called a tap root. (A carrot is also a tap root—one that we eat.)
The juniper’s tap root can grow 40 feet straight down, and can push through crevices
and rocks. This creates a strong anchor and allows the juniper to find water deep in the
earth. The juniper also puts out lateral roots that grow just under the surface of the
ground away from the tree. Lateral roots can grow up to 100 feet away from the tree.
They also grab onto the soil, holding the tree in its place, and absorb shallow water from
short rainfalls. These two different root systems provide insurance that should one
system be damaged, the other will continue to grow.”
Based on this evidence, what can you conclude about the importance of water to junipers?
A
B
C
D
Water
Water
Water
Water
is
is
is
is
very important to junipers.
not very important to junipers.
not at all important to junipers.
important to junipers in cold weather but not in hot weather.
4. Read these sentences from the text.
“The gnarled and twisting habit (the word 'habit' used when talking about plants refers
to their shape) of Utah Junipers gives an indication of their age. It is a result of wind
pushing on them. The trunk continuously twists very, very slowly over time. Indeed, the
tightly twisted trunks look ancient.”
1
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Questions: Secrets of Survival: The Ancient Utah Juniper
Based on this information, what can you infer about the connection between a Utah
Juniper's trunk and its age?
A
B
C
D
The
The
The
The
older a Utah Juniper is, the darker its trunk will be.
younger a Utah Juniper is, the darker its trunk will be.
younger a Utah Juniper is, the more tightly twisted its trunk will be.
older a Utah Juniper is, the more tightly twisted its trunk will be.
5. What is the main idea of this text?
A
B
C
D
Different types of junipers grow all over the world.
Utah Junipers have developed a waxy coating on their leaves and berries.
A Utah Juniper's tap root can grow 40 feet straight down.
Utah Junipers are well adapted to their environment.
6. Read this sentence from the text.
“These two different root systems provide insurance that should one system be
damaged, the other will continue to grow.”
What does "provide insurance" probably mean here?
A
B
C
D
refund or give money back
nurse or take care of
guarantee or make sure
supply or provide with
7. Read these sentences from the text.
“The juniper also has the ability to shut down certain branches and route all nutrients to
a few branches in order to keep growing. This is crucial in times of stress, such as
drought, when there isn’t enough water for the entire tree to survive.”
What word or phrase could best replace "such as" in the second sentence?
A
B
C
D
before
instead of
particularly
in the end
2
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Questions: Secrets of Survival: The Ancient Utah Juniper
8. Describe the environment of Utah Junipers. Include at least three pieces of
information from the text in your answer.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
9. What is one adaptation that Utah Junipers have made to their environment? Support
your answer with evidence from the text.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
10. Explain whether Utah Junipers are well adapted to their environment. Support your
answer with evidence from the text.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3
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