how to cloud prune a juniper

Cloud topiary is a popular, traditional form of pruning shrubs in Japan. Conifers are trees and shrubs that have needle-type leaves and produce cones instead of flowers. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Junipers trees are a type of hardy evergreen that can grow almost anywhere in the world. Hedges also surround my yard, but it is formed of thuja.eval(ez_write It was an ugly lump of gray conifer in the front yard. Take note: to cloud prune your masses into clouds, choose a small bonsai hand pruner cleaned with alcohol beforehand to avoid spreading diseases, and then start cutting the branches that stick out of the cloud. If a juniper gets pruned too far on the top, will it come back? But while hair will grow back in a couple of weeks, junipers in Utah grow only in the spring. Shape the remaining foliage on the top of each major branch into horizontal ovals or circular, using shears and pruners. Cut the branch where it meets the parent stem or at a branch junction. The only exception to this rule is pines, which should be pruned before the candle growth develops in the spring. Junipers can be trimmed any time from spring until the first freeze of the year. Always wear gloves when using pruning equipment to protect your hands from cuts and scrapes. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Make a rough cut of the plant to shape it into a cone. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Juniper trees do not support top cutting. Cloud pruning can transform an overgrown, unsightly juniper shrub into an attractive, sculptured work of art. You can also remove any branches that are overlapping or sticking out too far. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 44,999 times. Crucial Instructions to Take Care of the Hollywood Juniper Tree. Cloud Pruning a Conifer: When I first moved into my house a few years ago there was only one thing that annoyed me about the place. It’s easier to see the dead zone in the early spring when there isn’t much new growth. Wichita Blue Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is a popular plant for hedges and borders because it holds its shape naturally without much pruning. Proper juniper pruning will prevent irreversible damage to the health and beauty of your specimen. Doing this helps to prevent disease in the bush and allows more light to reach the buds at junctions toward the center of the tree. It depends on the age of the tree, but varies between 0.5 and 7.6 m (1.6 and 25 ft). 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. September 2020 update. References. This will help us to properly prune to enhance the appearance of our flower bed.". Jun 8, 2019 - Explore Lisa Beth Ruggerole's board "cloud pruning", followed by 265 people on Pinterest. As the name suggests, cloud pruning creates the visual effect of foliage of a tree floating like a cloud above the graceful forms of branches. Pruning Junipers. Cloud pruning is an art form that is widely practised in Japan. Wire will rub against them. If your garden has a Japanese or Chinese theme then cloud p… By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Using cloud pruning can keep a juniper shrub from becoming larger and taking over your landscape. There are many different species, but they all have certain characteristics in common, including a narrow shape, fragrant blue fruits, and unique branch texture. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Junipers can certainly be pruned, but unfortunately there is no way to discourage new growth by pruning. Juniper is a coniferous plant belonging to the cypress family. Select a mature juniper bush that has from three to five healthy branches with good foliage on the ends of the branches. One good place to start is the removal of any dead or leafless branches – these can be cut off at the trunk. Beneath the oute… It was a thick mess of twigs and foliage, about 1m tall and 1.5m wide. Use pruners and the hand saw to cut and trim all twigs and foliage off the chosen branches. For more tips on how to prune your juniper, including how to thin creeping and semi-upright junipers, keep reading! Follow the steps below to keep your juniper … Cut branches at a 45-degree angle to the trunk of the juniper. The best time to prune your junipers is in the winter or early spring. Three to four times a year, trim the foliage to the original shapes. How to Prune Conifers. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Prune junipers annually to correct their shape. Instead, prune lightly and regularly, just before new growth begins in spring. The initial wiring is in place; this is very rudimentary at this stage. Pruning is a matter of cutting the branches so that a more desirable plant is attained through compact, controlled growth. After a year, you will need to remove the ties, and the branches should remain in place without the ties. For example, if the length of a protruding branch is 24 inches (61 cm), you should prune 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) off of the branch. I am having a hard time typing, thanks to all the prickles and blotches, which explains the unusual lack of acerbity and remarkable shortness of reply. The cut-off, unchosen branches should include all dead and scraggly looking branches. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The best fast growing trees for a natural fence→, Evergreen shrubs with tiny flowers and red berries→. Use a sharp pruning saw to cut larger limbs. Upright junipers are tall, shrubs/trees that … Begin training your juniper to the shape and height you want while it is still young. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Winter pruning is a great option because it ensures that the plant is pruned before new growth begins. Cloud pruning OTOH is all the rage….. The sideways growing twigs are what you want to keep. While pruning is not necessary for good health, people do prune junipers occasionally to keep them compact, maintain a desired shape or increase the density of foliage. Pruning an upright juniper is essential to keep it looking its best. Using cloud pruning can keep a juniper shrub from becoming larger and taking over your landscape. You can find them at most home improvement stores or garden centers. To find out more about this highly skilled technique, Monty travels to Dorset to meet Jake Hobson, a leading expert in this field. "Basic Elements of Pruning"; Nick Federoff; 2006. Cut all unwanted branches to ground level. Cloud pruning, when done right, creates some beautiful results. Yesterday I did the stage 2 prune - pulling and tying every branch down to around a right-angle to the trunk. Yes, Junipers do not do the skin any good at all. If the dead zone makes up the majority of the plant, dig up the juniper and replant a new shrub in its place. round, interfering with adjacent growth of other plants and trees. Use a hand saw to cut all the unchosen juniper branches off the shrub. Prune evergreens according to their growth habits. The twigs and foliage should be trimmed as close to the main branch trunk as possible. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Prune-a-Juniper-Tree-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-a-Juniper-Tree-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Prune-a-Juniper-Tree-Step-1.jpg\/aid9874315-v4-728px-Prune-a-Juniper-Tree-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"