Gnarled junipers along the trail in Naturpark Südheide

In addition to the heather, the juniper trees/bushes are another plant that thrives well in this special area and also looks beautiful.

A visit to the heath is not only a relief during the heyday. There is also a lot to discover in spring, autumn and winter.

At the time of heathland farming, juniper was considered a pasture weed because it hindered the heathland sheep from grazing on the heathland. The shepherds made sure that the juniper did not get out of hand. The wood of the bush was not only used for heating, but was also ideal for smoking fish or for turning. The berry cones of the juniper are a coveted spice for refining sauerkraut and sauerbraten. They are also the raw material for the production of gin. In the 19th century, juniper berries were an important German export item. For example, in 1880, 90,000 kilograms of juniper berries were shipped to France.
Today the juniper is considered endangered. The nutrient-poor and sparsely populated locations that it populated can only rarely be found in today's cultivated landscape. If a juniper stands in a pine forest, this is usually a sign that there used to be open heathland at this point.
Despite its rarity in the native landscape, growing as a shrub or as a tree up to 15 meters tall, the juniper is the most widely distributed conifer in the world. It grows in Europe, North Asia, North America and North Africa.
In popular belief, juniper was considered a magic and medicinal plant, for example as a giver of life and health. A branch over the front door or in the stable should protect against devils, witches and ghosts, but also against poisonous snakes and thieves. In the Middle Ages, juniper twigs were used to smoke out the plague houses.