Juniper trees can live for as long as 200 years. They are shrub-like, evergreen conifers. Coniferous trees have needles instead of leaves. Because Junipers are evergreen, they keep these needles all year long. The trees produce male and female flowers, which grow on separate trees. The male flowers are small and yellow and grow near the tip of the twigs. The female flowers are green and, once pollinated, become the purple fruit—berries—of the Juniper.

The essential oil comes from the berry. The berries are ripe when they have turned blue in colour. Then, they are harvested and steam distilled for the oil.