Utah juniper

Description:

The Utah juniper is the classic desert tree. Its twisting, often-dead branches seem to epitomize the struggle of life with little water. When moisture is scarce, a juniper will actually stop the flow of fluids to some outer branches so that the tree has a better chance for survival. Scale-covered leaves and bluish, waxy-coated seeds help the tree conserve moisture.

Notes:

We saw lots of these trees in Arches National Park - alive, dead & clinging to life! They grow in the most amazing, tortured shapes & the scenery they are part of is mind-blowingly beautiful!