Special tree that Juniper

Foto: Pixabay

Sometimes you see tree sculptures in the Smålands landscape. The coniferous trees or shrubs Juniper (or Juniperus Communis in latin or En in Swedish) is often seen in Småland Sweden. Mostly when they harvest the wood in Sweden, they leave the juniper behind. You really cannot mis them. I don't know yet if that has a reason....

I already found out that the oldest one ever found in Sweden (in Sarek National Park) was 840 years old. It can become 14 meters high and 1,5 meter wide. It is a very common tree in Sweden but it is protected in The Netherlands. I think because there are not that much left in the Dutch natural landscape anymore.

It is a small tree or shrub. It delivers special berry, which are not berries but a sort of pine appels. It takes tree years to grow and become blue. joke: when all the berries are ripe you can get all you wish.... (it will be never)

But did you know it has very special stories too?

From long times ago they believed the plant could protect against ghosts around the house, the stable and even around the accres to protect the harvest. It was also used to burn in the chimney or to clean rooms which were not warm in wintertime, to smell more nice and keep away the mold. The bark was often used to cover the floor and the branches for the smoking of meat and fish.

The trees is still very useful today. They use it as a part of medical supplement, to stimulate the kidney function, to clean the liver, to drift moisture of or to lose weight. But don't start eating this tree pure. Maybe you bought some bathing oil, big chance there was Juniper in it.

The berries (or actually pine appels) are used to make gin and aquavit. Or you can still use it when you make a special marinade for wild or sauerkraut. You can still buy it in the supermarket.
So I think it is a very special tree that old guy...so when you see one, think of this story 😇