Tip Pruning a Juniper

[@swfowkes]

Nice video and voiceover. I just opened up two 40-year old junipers that had been shaped by hedge trimmers into round balls, probably for decades. Serious pruning; I must have removed 2/3 of the greenery in the process. The core was filled with criss-crossing branches and packed with damp, dead leaf debris. After opening it up, there was a "hollow" of no greenery. But within two weeks, all the leafless branches in the core were sprouting fresh buds. On both plants. If there was greenery at the end of the branches, they sprouted in numerous places in the now-sunlit core. The exposed trunks are absolutely fabulous. Worth the work. Wouldn't be esthetically close if they had been replaced.

[@vegetasgurl01]

I moved into a house with two approximately 30 year old junipers that are giant balls with dead material inside. I have never pruned before but have been watching many videos about how to prune a juniper. I only have about 3” of green material on the tips. Are you saying that if I trim all dead shoots inside the core, and leave some green tip, the sunlight may encourage green growth inside once more?

[@stevenfowkes]

@@vegetasgurl01 Exactly. Junipers are quite proficient at taking advantage of sunlight when you open up the core. My suggestion is to lie down on the ground and look up into the trunk system from underneath, to know what is best to keep and what is best to sacrifice, going for "balance" in what is left over. I also suggest that you cut the branches off a few inches from the branch point and let the juniper heal for a few months before cutting off the stumps flush

[@ArchvicGames]

About to trim mine up and was making sure I was doing something right. I didn't realized you were from Spokane until the end of the video, fellow local here 11 years late it seems lol. Thanks for the tips!

[@sherrypippen5590]

I have been in need of trimming 2 that i planted 13 yrs ago. They are beautiful and getting close to growing into each other now. I like a space between them so I can mow between or weed wack. I planned on doing tip cutting but wasn't sure if that was best. Thanks for confirming!

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

Best tip on tip pruning ever

[@thepaperstaggering]

i appreciate the work you guys did on that juniper. Shearing them is for lazy people who don't deserve junipers...or for beginners who don't know better.

[@sallymiller1359]

Can I borrow Scott? Beautiful job, great instructive video, thank you

[@susanschillmoeller4597]

Super helpful detailed pruning info.

[@joebobjenkins7837]

What trees can work with this, aka can this be done woth sand pine or any cedar. How many times a year do you cut? If Ive only got a pole cutter so that I could only trim 25 ft or so would that be a problem if it gets taller?

[@eileen2041]

Thanks, I wish they told me that at my nursery when I was buying my plants many years ago. Now I have giant arbs with multiple leaders. :(

[@BJane58]

I love my junipers cause they give shelter to birds . they are two years old and need trimming. The landscaper says he does selective trimming but then said they will look like they have been cut back for a while. Yours doesn't look like that. How do I know which ones to cut and how far down Do i go?

[@1sornram]

How do we get rid of them without hiring a landscaper? Thanks in advance

[@thejoyfuljoy]

Get a chain saw. Get to the main trunk and chain saw it. Done! 😂

[@themidger1]

This should be required viewing for anyone getting into gardening and landscaping. Junipers are some of the most misused and abused plants around!

[@brandongarcia4760]

i have three juniper trees in my home and i don't know how to move them can you help on how am i supposed to do it.

[@ab6318]

buy a shovel and dig.

[@1sornram]

@@ab6318 is that the only way to get rid of them without hiring a landscaper? I don't like them and in the process of cutting them. Did one bush and so exhausting.