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 can I do with overgrown junipers?

If the juniper is severely overgrown, it may be preferable to replace it.

Examine the plant for long branches that originate under other branches and can be removed without leaving a bare spot. ...
Cut the remaining branches back to a junction with another green branch. ...
Cut dead growth back to the trunk.

How tall do upright junipers get?

Juniper Shrubs

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

How do you trim a juniper tree?

"Do-It-Yourself" Juniper Tree Removal

The most effective method is to cut down the tree with a chain saw and use a portable tree shredder to process the wood into chips to be used as mulch.

How do you trim an upright juniper tree?

Start by taking out dead and dying braches. Remove these at the branch junction. This selective thinning also leaves the upright juniper looking natural and open. Continue pruning a juniper bush until you have removed all broken, diseased, injured or dead branches.

How do you get rid of overgrown junipers?

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.

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.

Do junipers grow fast?

are a large group of plants notable for their evergreen, needle-like foliage, hardy nature and moderate to fast growth rate. In general, if it is cared for properly, a juniper tree will grow at least a foot per year, according to Empire National Nursery, but this can vary widely depending on species and cultivar.

What should I plant next to Juniper?

When you are looking for juniper plant companions, think about bamboo. Bamboo species, particularly dwarf bamboo plants, are also good choices for juniper companion plants. Tall bamboo mixes well with tall junipers, while groundcover juniper blends seamlessly with dwarf bamboo.

What is the lowest growing juniper?

Low-Growing Junipers

"Wilton" (Juniperus horizontalis "Wilton") grows only 6 inches high and spreads out 6 to 8 feet. "Wilton" has silver-blue foliage and grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10.

Do juniper trees 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.

Are juniper tree 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.

How do you shape a juniper shrub?

Junipers (Juniperus)

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.

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 a blue point juniper?

"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! Cutting the leader will encourage additional leaders to form.

When should you trim juniper bushes?

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.

Will vinegar kill junipers?

Vinegar could damage the junipers if you drip it on them, but it would not kill them outright because it is not systemic. ... You have to be careful not to get glyphosate on junipers because it will kill or damage any green plant tissue it contacts.

Do junipers 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.

Why do juniper trees turn brown?

Junipers (Juniperus spp.) are needle-leaved evergreens that are used in many landscapes. ... 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.

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.

What is a juniper tree in the Bible?

Actually the Scriptural “juniper” was a species of broom known as the white broom, Retama raetam. ... ¹. Its habit of growth is similar to that of the Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link, but its branches are longer and more flexible, forming an erect dense bush 3 to 12 feet tall.