Juniper proves to be easy to care for. However, you should not lose sight of the annual pruning, because an old juniper rarely tolerates radical pruning measures. It is better to make gentle shape cuts and remove individual branches with the appropriate tools.
How do I cut an old juniper correctly?
When cutting an old juniper, it is recommended to carry out annual topiary cuts and occasional branch removal in order to maintain the compact shape. Radical cuts should be avoided as the juniper cannot tolerate them. Use suitable, clean and sharpened cutting tools.
Short shoot tips
Old plants are regularly pruned and shaped so that they retain their compact shape. If you have created a special shape out of the plant when it is young, you must continually shorten protruding shoot tips. Since the juniper grows slowly, an annual topiary is sufficient. This measure also applies to old shrubs that were planted solitary or in hedges.
Remove annoying branches
If a branch disturbs the overall picture, it can be completely removed. It is important that there are still enough green shoots growing above and below the interface. This measure can also be carried out specifically to create a large outdoor bonsai. Only remove branches that grow in a bend in the main axis. This means smaller shoots get more light, so they grow bushier.
Avoid radical cuts
The juniper cannot tolerate intensive pruning into old wood. The wood would only continue to grow at the green ends. Regular shape and maintenance cuts are better so that the shrub grows compactly and develops dense branches. To do this, you should grab the hedge trimmer every year shortly before budding in spring.
How to cut correctly:
- get young plants into shape every year
- Cut branches directly at the branch fork
- don't leave stumps standing
- It's better to cut off a little too little than too much
Tools
Whether you use electric hedge trimmers (€88.00 on Amazon) or manual shrub shears depends on the shape. The shoots of hedges and pillars can be trimmed to a uniform length using hedge trimmers. Electric tools make the annual maintenance pruning of trapezoidal-cut privacy hedges easier.
If you value natural growth, remove individual branches and shoot tips with mechanical scissors. You don't have to follow any special patterns; you can rely on your intuition. It is important that the blades have been sharpened and cleaned thoroughly. This will prevent the interfaces from becoming entry points for diseases and pests.
