Bennett Juniper believed to be more than 4,000 years old.

+ Click for larger map of location

Bennett and the Western Juniper
When naturalist Clarence Bennett began his study of the Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) in the early 1890's, the tree was still referred to as a shrub. Juniper "shrubs" reached heights of 50 to 70 feet and core samplings showed many to be at least a thousand years old. Bennett made field observations of the western Juniper from Oregon to Mexico, collecting fallen branches as he went. When he returned home from the field he counted the core rings and made meticulous measurements to ascertain ages and growth rates of the trees.

In 1932, longtime Tuolumne county rancher, Ed Burgeson, led Bennett to this location and showed Bennett a large Western Juniper that Basque sheepherders had discovered in the 1920's. The gnarled and weather-worn tree, eighty feet tall, is believed by some to be more than four thousand years old. The monarch was given the name of Bennett Juniper in honor of Bennett's outstanding study of the species.

Western Junipers thrive in moist climates, but they are capable of surviving with very little intake of water. Since competition is fierce for direct sunlight at lower elevations, the slow growing Western Juniper has been forced to higher territory. The Bennett Juniper and others of its species face freezing temperatures, strong winds, poor soil and low moisture, and still they persist and grow high in the Sierra.

Preservation of the Bennett Juniper
The Bennett Juniper has withstood severed branches, freezing temperatures, fire, lightning, and drought. It was protected for many years by rancher, J.W.Martin, Sr. As Mr. Martin grew older his concern about long term protection for the Bennett juniper increased. In 1978, he donated the tree and three acres surrounding it to the Nature Conservancy, a national conservation organization that specializes in habitat protection. His vision for the Juniper's protection is express in the grant deed, which states: "[to] be preserved for all time as a natural preserve for the enjoyment and inspiration of the public."

The Nature Conservancy conveyed the trees and land to Save-the-Redwoods League in 1987 so that the League could safeguard this distinguished Western Juniper.

How You Can Help:

1. Please refrain from climbing on the tree and its roots
2. Hunting, camping, fires and wood gathering are prohibited on the preserve
3. Help pay the administrative costs for protecting the Juniper by contributing to the Save-the-Redwoods League Bennett Juniper Fund.

We encourage you to visit this beautiful tree. It is located in the Stanislaus National Forest in Tuolumne County. It is reached by taking a forest service road off Highway 108 before it passes the Sonora Pass. These roads can only be traveled during the summer.