Growth rate tends to vary according to site characteristics, however. This growth pattern may represent an important adaptation allowing junipers to survive on harsh, arid sites. Soil moisture may be an important factor influencing germination. Seeds of oneseed juniper do not germinate well on the soil surface which is subject to rapid desiccation. Because soil moisture is so limited on many oneseed juniper sites, competition with others species may significantly influence the occurrence of this tree on a particular site.
Topographic factors can significantly influence the successional role of oneseed juniper.
Annual leader elongation of oneseed juniper generally begins in April.