Scotland's junipers at risk of dying out

THREE-quarters of Scotland's junipers could die out unless urgent action is taken to help the trees survive, a leading expert has warned.

• Juniper berries being inspected for use in gin production – but all such fruit for distillation is now imported to the UK from continental Europe

Dr Graham Sullivan from Scottish Natural Heritage said that in parts of the country the historic plants were "functionally extinct" as small numbers clung onto survival on cliff edges, too far from other members of the species to breed.

His warning comes as SNH launches an appeal to the public to help locate remaining juniper plants so the organisation can build a better picture of the spread of the species.

Junipers, once widespread throughout Scotland, have already disappeared from lowland areas and are predicted to die out in many upland sites.

In these spots only "geriatric" junipers will be left, unable to breed, unless more is done to propagate new plants and support the growth of young trees.

Dr Sullivan, uplands advisory officer at SNH, said: "If no specific measures are taken the decline will continue. Only a quarter of junipers in Scotland are secure without intervention to propagate and restore them."

He added that only in groups of 50 or more will juniper plants be self-sustaining - and his research showed that three-quarters of the plants could be at risk.

The juniper is one of three conifers native to Scotland, alongside Yew and Scots Pine. Although individual juniper trees and shrubs can live for more than 100 years, experts warn that a lack of young junipers will gradually lead to its extinction.

Scottish junipers were once prized for their smokeless wood by illicit whisky distillers but now have little economic use.

Most juniper berries for gin production in the UK are imported from Hungary.

However, experts say the decline of the species would have a knock-on effect for other wildlife. Game birds, such as red and black grouse, snipe and woodcock benefit from the dense ground cover provided by juniper and farm animals also use the bushes for shelter in exposed uplands.

In winter the evergreen leaves of the juniper protruding above the snow are often the only grazing available to sheep.

Dr Sullivan's warning comes as SNH Perth and Kinross launches an appeal to the public to help locate remaining junipers.

They want farmers, landowners, residents and tourists in the area to get in touch when they spot one of the plants.

Perthshire is a stronghold for juniper and has four Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated for the species, but the SSSIs also suffer from a lack of young juniper plants.

Helen Taylor, SNH area officer, said: "It is immensely important to speak to landowners about the management they have used in the past to achieve flourishing groups.

If we find other very valuable areas perhaps we don't need to fret about regeneration in the SSSIs".

l Join the "great Perthshire juniper hunt" at www.snh.gov.uk/about-snh/snh-in-your-area/tayside-and-clackmannanshire

FACT BOX

- There are more than 60 species of juniper in the northern hemisphere, with two subspecies in Scotland.

- Juniperus communis ssp. communis is the wild, upright shrub juniper under threat in Scotland.

- Juniperus communis ssp. nana is the small creeping form found at higher altitudes on Scottish hills.

- Juniper "berries" used in flavourings are really cones, and they are imported to the UK from Hungary..