Rocket juniper is a special cultivated form of the cypress juniper that comes from North America. The 'Blue Arrow' comes from the original species Juniperus scopulorum. The focus of this variety was on the columnar growth habit. You can promote this shape through targeted pruning.
When and how should you prune rocket juniper?
Rocket junipers can be cut from May to September, ideally in the second half of July. Prune gently to encourage the natural columnar shape and promote he althy growth. Avoid radical interventions and cutting into old wood.
Growth
Like many conifers, the rocket juniper grows mainly at the tips of the shoots. Over time, the old wood inside the crown loses its ability to sprout. With this property, the trees have adapted to the lack of light that exists inside the crown. They are green on the outside and bare on the inside, which is something you should keep in mind when cutting.
Time
You can cut back the columnar juniper from May to September. Ideally, you should set the date for the second half of July, because then the tree has completed its main shoot. Since the growing season is not yet over, cuts heal better during this time. In addition, a slight follow-up makes the open interfaces disappear.
Choose an overcast day for pruning, as phases that are too hot result in drought stress. Avoid interventions on wet autumn days or during periods of frost. Corrections are possible at any time during the vegetation phase.
Cutting measures
The rocket juniper naturally develops a straight shape that appears unreal. The coniferous tree proves to be easy to cut and can be shaped into almost any desired shape through targeted interventions. You should prune the plant carefully and not more than once a year so that the growth does not suffer.
Advantages of cuts:
- ensure he althy growth
- prevent infestation by fungi and pests
- support the natural growth form
Plant cutting
Start pruning early if you want to give the columnar juniper a slight pyramid shape. Go from bottom to top and trim the side shoots by a few centimeters. Follow the natural shape provided by the tree. This promotes dense growth and prevents balding from the inside out.
Topiary
If you regularly work on the rocket juniper with scissors (€14.00 on Amazon), you will emphasize the columnar shape and the tree will stay young. In principle, this procedure is no different from pruning after planting. You shorten all branches to an even length and also remove aging, diseased and dead branches.
Avoid radical interventions
Despite some positive experiences with radical pruning, you should not cut the coniferous tree back to the old wood. Due to its special growth, it is not guaranteed that the 'Blue Arrow' will sprout again afterwards. There is a risk that brown spots will remain and the tree will grow asymmetrically on green branches. As a precaution, when carrying out any pruning measures, you should only approach perennial branches.
Tip
You can trim specimens that have grown too tall. The trees then branch out heavily below the cut surface and develop a kind of head.
