how to prune juniper tree

1. When should junipers be pruned?
2. How do you trim a juniper tree?
3. Can junipers be cut back?
4. How do you keep junipers small?
5. How long do juniper trees live?
6. How do you revive a juniper tree?
7. How do you take care of a juniper tree?
8. Can you trim blue star juniper?
9. What causes junipers to turn brown?
10. What can I substitute for juniper bushes?
11. Do junipers have deep roots?
12. Can you keep a blue point juniper small?
13. Are juniper roots invasive?
14. What do juniper trees symbolize?
15. What are juniper trees good for?
16. Are junipers poisonous?
17. Can you top a juniper tree?
18. What is killing my juniper trees?
19. How often should juniper be watered?

When should junipers be pruned?

The best time to prune junipers is late winter and early spring just before growth begins. However, because junipers are usually very vigorous, they can be pruned almost any time.

How do you trim a juniper tree?

To correct the shape, prune before new growth starts in the spring; lightly prune side branches to reduce their size and to bring the plant back into scale. Prune spreading and creeping junipers by selectively cutting back to vigorous, lateral side branches. Do not shear in a formal manner.

Can junipers be cut back?

Junipers are hardy shrubs that can take severe pruning, but it is possible to kill them by pruning them back too far. ... They can be pruned at any time, but do heavy pruning in winter or early spring before growth starts. If the juniper is severely overgrown, it may be preferable to replace it.

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.

How long do juniper trees live?

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.

How do you revive a juniper tree?

Cutting all the branches of a juniper at once can leave the plant shorter and more sparse than you may like in the short term. For a less drastic look, revive your juniper over the course of three years by cutting back only one-third of the shrub's branches each spring.

How do you take care of a juniper tree?

Water young shrubs well and mulch with pine needles or bark mulch to keep the soil evenly moist and weeds at bay. Fertilize in spring with a layer of compost and an organic plant food for evergreens. Prune junipers in spring after a spurt of new growth to shape the plant and remove dead, broken or diseased branches.

Can you trim blue star juniper?

Once established, "Blue Star" requires little water or care. Because of its slow growth and evergreen foliage, this juniper only requires maintenance pruning or corrective pruning. But never prune it during fall because the resulting new and tender growth will be vulnerable to the cold bite of winter.

What causes junipers to turn brown?

If you see brown, red, green or yellow eight-legged insects, your juniper has spider mites. ... Entire branches dying back especially on larger shrubs or juniper trees may be due to twig blight. This is caused by cankers. This disease can also cause foliage on infected branches to turn yellow or brown and wilt.

What can I substitute for juniper bushes?

Once the junipers are removed, what should you replace them with? Herbaceous plants, such as lawn, annual and perennial flowers and bulbs, that are kept green during fire season via irrigation. Deciduous shrubs, preferably less than two feet in height and under irrigation.

Do junipers have deep roots?

The root system of a Juniper tree might grow 2 to 3 feet deep but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil.

Can you keep a blue point juniper small?

"Blue Point" is listed as growing to 7 to 8 feet but does indeed grow larger as you have discovered. Junipers can certainly be pruned, but unfortunately there is no way to discourage new growth by pruning. They are vigorous plants! ... If you attempt to shorten it, you will end up needing to prune the sides as well.

Are juniper roots invasive?

2. Skyrocket Juniper. An extremely tall, skinny tree, the roots under the ground resemble the tree itself – they go deeper, but they aren't invasive and won't spread out.

What do juniper trees symbolize?

The juniper tree has much meaning in the life of people who have seen it, and they have great importance in so many cultures around the world. Some of the common meanings that can be attributed to the juniper tree include their ability to keep people safe, enduring potential, a sign of strength and power, and divinity.

What are juniper trees good for?

Current Uses. Juniper berries are most famous for flavoring gin and have also been recently used to flavor liquors and sauces. As an evergreen, juniper is a popular residential ornamental plant, used in shelterbelts and wildlife plantings. Its aromatic wood is used for furniture, paneling, fence posts and pencils.

Are junipers poisonous?

All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. ... The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption.

Can you top a juniper tree?

All junipers have dead zones at their center so severe pruning, including topping, is never a good idea. Instead, prune lightly and regularly, just before new growth begins in spring. The key to pruning juniper is to leave areas with dormant bud on each branch you trim.

What is killing my juniper trees?

Junipers (Juniperus spp.) ... Insufficient and excessive watering as well as dog urine can cause the juniper's needles to turn brown and drop, but two diseases and two pests can also cause these symptoms. When left untreated, they can kill a juniper.

How often should juniper be watered?

You should plan to water it every two to three days. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. Usually you can tell when it needs watering by the color and feel of the soil surface. The soil color lightens as it drys and the surface feels dry to the touch when it needs watering.