Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page). Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions visitors to this our Web site may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please e-mail us information@peopleagainstcedars.com .

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the Ashe Juniper (aka, mountain cedar)?

The ashe juniper is an evergreen plant in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Japan. Its introduction to Texas is not broadly documented. It spreads by heavy pollen production which results in prolific new plant production. Regarding the Edwards Plateau the following excerpt from “PLANT COMMUNITIES OF THE EDWARDS PLATEAU OF TEXAS : AN OVERVIEW EMPHASIZING THE BALCONES ESCARPMENT ZONE BETWEEN SAN ANTONIO AND AUSTIN WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO LANDSCAPE CONTRASTS AND NATURAL DIVERSITY” by David H. Ruskin and David D. Diamond, dated 1986, describes how ashe juniper colonized in Texas.

“There are hints of an excitingly complex vegetational history which is manifested in the modern occurrence of certain insular woodland communities such as the temperate deciduous Acer-Tilia-Quercus or evergreen Pisatacia-Quercus or Lacey oak (Quercus glaucoides) woodlands restricted to mesic canyons; the restricted, insular Pinus remota evergreen pygmy woodlands; the insular Taxodium-Sabal grotto swamps; the tropical ferns in isolated sinkholes; and by such exciting stories as the apparently rapid colonization of Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) onto the Plateau from a source on the margins of the Mexican Plateau (Adams, 1977).”

2. Why pursue an attack campaign against this brushy plant?

The ashe juniper (aka, mountain cedar) is a plant that chokes out hardwood trees, is a terrible consumer of water resources, and produces one of the most insidious allergens in Texas. Known as Cedar Fever, the allergic reactions to pollen dropped by male mountain juniper (or cedar) trees is quite stressful. Every year, from December to February, residents and visitors report runny noses, asthma attacks, sinusitis and flu-like symptoms due to pollen. To avoid cedar fever, local allergists suggest staying indoors, sleeping and/or driving with the windows closed, praying for rain to clear the air, using over-the-counter antihistamines and leaving town.

3. What are our expectations with this campaign against cedars (ashe juniper)?

People Against Cedars hopes to gain increased support at all levels to aggressively reduce the cedar tree (ashe juniper) population in affected areas. This plant has no qualities that can’t be better provided by better trees, such as native oak or elm. The cedar impedes the forestation of high quality native trees and range land grasses. Arguments have been made that cedars are good for erosion control; however, in instances where cedar was eliminated and range land grasses have been allowed to cover the ground, erosion was better managed and water tables increased substantially.

4. How did mountain cedar get to be so prevalent in Texas?

The prevailing viewpoint is that the overgrazing of Texas range land and the reduction of grass fires has caused a more opportune environment for ashe juniper (mountain cedar) to reproduce and spread. If we accept this premise, then it is worthy for Texans to try to restore the land to more natural ecosystem. That entails reduction of cedars.

5. Are there products being made from cedar?

See the Links section of this web site.