QA

Question: How To Trim Juniper Trees

When should juniper trees be pruned?

Since junipers and other conifers produce new growth in spring and fall, and do not grow much in summer, prune them in early spring in warm regions or early summer in cooler regions. The only exception to this rule is pines, which should be pruned before the candle growth develops in the spring.

How do you trim overgrown junipers?

While overgrown juniper pruning has its limits, it is possible to trim your plant down to a more manageable shape. One good place to start is the removal of any dead or leafless branches – these can be cut off at the trunk. You can also remove any branches that are overlapping or sticking out too far.

How far back can you cut junipers?

But in a juniper, only buds close to the cut get the green light. Anything farther away than 12 inches won’t leaf out. And juniper branches tend to grow longer, not fuller, when left untrimmed.

How do you maintain juniper?

Plant juniper shrubs in a location with full sun or light shade. When they get too much shade, the branches spread apart in an effort to let more sunlight in, and the damage to their shape can’t be repaired. Junipers grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained.

Will juniper branches grow back?

Junipers (Juniperus spp.) can be used in nearly every part of your landscape. The long-lived evergreens can become scraggly and overgrown, however. Although a juniper won’t grow back from a branch that has no green growth, careful pruning can revive the shrub.

How long do juniper trees live?

Junipers grow very slowly. A juniper standing only five feet tall may be 50 years old. Junipers typically live from 350 to 700 years, with some even passing the millennium mark. Despite their longevity, junipers rarely exceed 30 feet in height or three feet in diameter.

Can I prune junipers in summer?

Summer and Winter Pruning Pruning juniper in winter should be avoided, but you can remove broken, dead or diseased branches at any time of the year. If you want to shear junipers to create shapes, this can be done in the late spring and early summer.

How tall does a juniper tree grow?

Juniper genus name Juniperus plant type Shrub height 6 to 12 inches 1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feet 8 to 20 feet 20 feet or more width Up to 20 feet, depending on variety foliage color Blue/Green Gray/Silver.

Can Brown juniper come back?

If they’re brittle and dry, they’re dead and won’t come back. Some of the “brown” junipers that are still alive will put out new growth in the spring, but it will be from the tips of branches. If the browned junipers do survive, they’re likely to be unattractive for quite some time.

How do you keep junipers healthy?

Junipers need air flow to avoid fungal disorders, so cleaning up around the shrubs and pruning out any dead wood is important. It is also important to keep branches dry during warmer weather, so avoid overhead water or watering too often during the summer.

What are juniper trees good for?

Juniper is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, intestinal gas (flatulence), heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) infections and intestinal worms. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney and bladder stones.

What can you do with juniper branches?

The berries are known to stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Juniper berries have also been used to expel gas. Juniper berries and roots can be used to make brown and purple dyes. The Blackfoot used juniper branches to floor their sweat lodges and to floor the Sun Dance lodge.

How do you prune juniper topiary?

A topiary must be pruned a bit several times per year to help it keep its shape. Wait until about mid-June to pruning a juniper topiary. Prune the front of your topiary first, trimming branches off in small amounts as necessary to keep the topiary in its shape. Turn the topiary if it is potted or walk to its side.

How do you keep junipers small?

You’ll need to start selectively pruning a juniper bush by trimming back each branch’s terminal tip. This will reduce the length and weight of the branch, making it less likely to pull out from the trunk. You can also use an arbor tie to attach sagging branches to the central trunk.

Can you prune Blue Point juniper?

Depending on your preference, Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ can be trimmed into elegant and dramatic features. Other than for shaping, you may want to prune your Blue Point Juniper of some wayward branches. By pruning the top ends of the tree’s branches, you will encourage sideways growth.

How do I get rid of juniper bushes?

Use a Chainsaw to Cut the Bush Down Cut the bush down to ground level using a chain saw or ax. This helps kill the bush and facilitates its removal. Wait at least a few days before removing the roots; if cutting down the bush kills the plant and the roots, the dry roots are easier to extract from the soil.