how to cloud prune a juniper

How to Prune an Overgrown Juniper While overgrown juniper pruning has its limits, it is possible to trim your plant down to a more manageable shape. The best fast growing trees for a natural fence→, Evergreen shrubs with tiny flowers and red berries→. Shape the remaining foliage on the top of each major branch into horizontal ovals or circular, using shears and pruners. Step 2. References. If you are working during the springtime, there likely won’t be much new growth to avoid. Never use shears to shape the tree as they can damage the branches and stop growth. Once all of the visibly dead branches have been cut, shape the tree by pruning protruding branches at the top of the tree and on the sides. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Select three to four main branches with lots of green mass, remove the remaining branches. Upright junipers are tall, shrubs/trees that … Conifer trees have only one main "leader" or trunk that extends all the way to the top. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. The cloud-shaped foliage needs to be at varying heights to add visual interest. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. This will give you the freedom to trim as needed to attain the perfect shape. Wire will rub against them. In one of my gardens, I found a rather nondescript, nothing-in-particular Juniper (type of Conifer) growing in a rockery. The "how-to" is a little more complicated. Yesterday I did the stage 2 prune - pulling and tying every branch down to around a right-angle to the trunk. Shorten any of these back to make them more bushy when new growth emerges in the spring. The key to pruning juniper is to leave areas with dormant bud on each branch you trim. If a juniper gets pruned too far on the top, will it come back? Junipers trees are a type of hardy evergreen that can grow almost anywhere in the world. This article has been viewed 44,999 times. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Wichita Blue Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is a popular plant for hedges and borders because it holds its shape naturally without much pruning. This may not be to everyone’s taste but when it is done well, cloud pruning will have a dramatic effect on your garden every day of the year! Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Start young. Be careful not to trim the branches too close to the center of the tree! 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. Remove those branches at the base. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Cloud pruning is a traditional Japanese method of pruning trees, typically used in the art of bonsai, but also frequently seen in landscapes all over the world. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Junipers can certainly be pruned, but unfortunately there is no way to discourage new growth by pruning. When to Prune. Sep 30, 2020 - Explore Laura Lynn's board "pruning junipers", followed by 305 people on Pinterest. At first, when you go to choose the plant that you are going to use, make sure it has some interesting branch formations. Hedges also surround my yard, but it is formed of thuja.eval(ez_write Cut branches at a 45-degree angle to the trunk of the juniper. Then draw, in strong simple lines, what you would like the finished hedge to look like. Pruning Junipers. How to Prune Conifers. Using cloud pruning can keep a juniper shrub from becoming larger and taking over your landscape. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Cut the protruding branches to a junction where the branch splits into 2 branches to encourage new growth. If you attempt to shorten it, you will end up needing to prune the sides as well. Juniper is a coniferous plant belonging to the cypress family. Use pruners and the hand saw to cut and trim all twigs and foliage off the chosen branches. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. There are many different species, but they all have certain characteristics in common, including a narrow shape, fragrant blue fruits, and unique branch texture. In landscapes, cloud pruning should be done on mature trees. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. However, this pruning takes several years and requires a lot of attention and effort. Shape the remaining foliage on the top of each major branch into horizontal ovals or circular, using shears and pruners. Early spring is the ideal time to do this. That being the case, pruning before the growth flush allows new growth to cover any mistakes you might make. 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. This article has been viewed 44,999 times. These types of shrubs are trimmed so that the foliage is left only on the tip of each branch in a manner that resembles a pom-pom or puffball. To start cloud pruning, take off any shoots or growth from the bottom of the branch, and any that sprout directly upward. Junipers need little if any pruning. Aim for organic shapes and avoid repetition. How to Prune Junipers & Coniferous Evergreens. Start pruning your juniper tree by removing dead limbs and branches with loppers. It's best not to cut older juniper branches if you can avoid it. If you've decided you definitely want to proceed then start by drawing the outline of the existing hedge. It’s important to work before new growth begins so that you don’t have to worry about damaging new branches. This technique is especially popular in the Far East and in USA but has yet to really catch on here. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Use pruners and the hand saw to cut and trim all twigs and foliage off the chosen branches. The twigs and foliage should be trimmed as close to the main branch trunk as possible. Cloud pruning can transform an overgrown, unsightly juniper shrub into an attractive, sculptured work of art. 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. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Conifers are trees and shrubs that have needle-type leaves and produce cones instead of flowers. September 2020 update. Proper juniper pruning will prevent irreversible damage to the health and beauty of your specimen. Use pruners and the hand saw to cut and trim all twigs and foliage off the chosen branches. Using cloud pruning can keep a juniper shrub from becoming larger and taking over your landscape. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. It will survive, but it will be weakened. The cut-off, unchosen branches should include all dead and scraggly looking branches. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. They are vigorous plants! Follow the steps below to keep your juniper … Instead, prune lightly and regularly, just before new growth begins in spring. Ideally the cuts should be made when the plant is young as the pruning cuts will disappear with age leaving behind attractive bark. Cut all unwanted branches to ground level. It was a thick mess of twigs and foliage, about 1m tall and 1.5m wide. "We have lots of ground junipers on our property. This will help us to properly prune to enhance the appearance of our flower bed.". One good place to start is the removal of any dead or leafless branches – these can be cut off at the trunk. Cloud pruning is a traditional Japanese method of pruning trees, typically used in the art of bonsai, but also frequently seen in landscapes all over the world. Unfortunately, some have been allowed to grow to 30 - 40 feet. Caring for it can be a real challenge. Begin training your juniper to the shape and height you want while it is still young. 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. Cloud pruning is an art form that is widely practised in Japan. The sideways growing twigs are what you want to keep. In the springtime, it’s easier to see the general shape of the tree and cut the branches without having to worry about accidentally harming new growth. As a result, you can get just fantastic-looking juniper. Beneath the oute… Use a sharp pruning saw to cut larger limbs. It is best to allow these plants to assume their natural shape. Do not use wire to do this unless you are also using tree straps around the branches. By using our site, you agree to our. Make a rough cut of the plant to shape it into a cone. How to Cloud-Prune a Juniper. The initial wiring is in place; this is very rudimentary at this stage. See more ideas about garden design, plants, cloud pruning. Quite simply, it is trimming a bush or conifer so that the foliage looks like clouds floating on the ends of branches. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. You can easily prune your juniper tree to control its shape and encourage new growth! Linnie, do catch up….Cloud computing is SO yesterday. round, interfering with adjacent growth of other plants and trees. This video is about cloud pruning - how to create a shape and how to maintain it afterwards. The overall effect is that the shrub resembles a mass of clouds. With all due respect to beauticians and barbers, pruning junipers is a lot like giving a haircut. It was an ugly lump of gray conifer in the front yard. Another type of pruning is the formation of a cloud or as it is called Niwaki. 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. Pruning an upright juniper is essential to keep it looking its best. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Pruned plants in this style is trendy. Prune junipers annually to correct their shape. Cutting the leader will encourage additional leaders to form. The only exception to this rule is pines, which should be pruned before the candle growth develops in the spring. Shape the remaining foliage on the top of each major branch into horizontal ovals or circular, using shears and pruners. Don't cut into the collar, but angle the cut right above it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Examine the plant for long branches that originate under other branches and can be removed without leaving a bare spot. Cloud topiary is a popular, traditional form of pruning shrubs in Japan. If your garden has a Japanese or Chinese theme then cloud p… Tree branches look like clouds (hence the name). Junipers can be trimmed any time from spring until the first freeze of the year. Cut the branch where it meets the parent stem or at a branch junction. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 44,999 times. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You can find them at most home improvement stores or garden centers. Scary stuff! But while hair will grow back in a couple of weeks, junipers in Utah grow only in the spring. If you are wondering how to prune an upright juniper or have other questions about upright juniper pruning, read on. Cloud pruning, when done right, creates some beautiful results. For more tips on how to prune your juniper, including how to thin creeping and semi-upright junipers, keep reading! Juniper trees do not support top cutting. If you can’t find a junction, simply cut the branch to match the overall shape and height of the bush. Jun 8, 2019 - Explore Lisa Beth Ruggerole's board "cloud pruning", followed by 265 people on Pinterest. Leave 1 to 2 feet of foliage at the top end of the selected branches, however. Gardenerdy tells you how to care for your Hollywood Juniper … It’s easier to see the dead zone in the early spring when there isn’t much new growth. 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. In a few years, you will get a unique form of juniper. Juniper Characteristics. Sometimes, if the juniper is very mature, the dead zone will be extremely large. Upright Juniper Pruning. Yes, Junipers do not do the skin any good at all. For more tips on how to prune your juniper, including how to thin creeping and semi-upright junipers, keep reading! There are rules that you have to follow. Three to four times a year, trim the foliage to the original shapes. So what is ‘cloud pruning’? Snip off new growth that may appear on the trunk and branches of the juniper, using hand shears. But occasionally you will need to prune a Wichita Blue Juniper to maintain its size and promote healthy growth. Hollywood Juniper is a large shrub or a small tree that is known for its rustic and artistic appearance and unusually twisted and upright branches. Winter pruning is a great option because it ensures that the plant is pruned before new growth begins. In this case, it’s okay to cut into the dead zone because the branches are already dead, and there will be more space for new growth to expand on the outer area of the bush. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. 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. Create a layered effect by pruning the length of the branches from top to bottom – shorter branches on the top of the juniper and longer branches on the bottom of the juniper. But you’ll also need to pinch off smaller shoots located under the cloud, to give it a pure silhouette. After the initial thinning, creeping and semi-upright junipers can be pruned as normal. 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. You can also remove any branches that are overlapping or sticking out too far. Prune evergreens according to their growth habits. Step 3 Prune branches just above the ring of bumpy tissue known as a branch collar, where branches meet larger stems. Tree ties tend to be sturdier than twine, but they’re more expensive. % of people told us that this article helped them. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Use a hand saw to cut all the unchosen juniper branches off the shrub. The best time to prune your junipers is in the winter or early spring. To find out more about this highly skilled technique, Monty travels to Dorset to meet Jake Hobson, a leading expert in this field. Select a mature juniper bush that has from three to five healthy branches with good foliage on the ends of the branches. Get your tools ready. Cloud pruning OTOH is all the rage….. It depends on the age of the tree, but varies between 0.5 and 7.6 m (1.6 and 25 ft). This requires pruning individual stems rather than shearing. Michigan State University; Conifer Corner; Nicholas Gooch, et.al. Crucial Instructions to Take Care of the Hollywood Juniper Tree. See more ideas about cloud pruning, beautiful gardens, garden design. 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. Always wear gloves when using pruning equipment to protect your hands from cuts and scrapes. I've always wanted to have a go at creating one of these cloud-layer trees, the ones with pads of foliage on long bare branches, and I got a chance, back in 2016. If the dead zone makes up the majority of the plant, dig up the juniper and replant a new shrub in its place. Doing the cloud pruning: step by step Step 1 . Useful in hot sunny sites Propagation Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings Suggested planting locations and garden types Low Maintenance Wildlife Gardens How to care. "Basic Elements of Pruning"; Nick Federoff; 2006. http://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/horticulture-care/pruning-evergreens, http://www.landscapeadvisor.com/how-to-prune-upright-junipers/, https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2003/3-7-2003/pruneshrub.html, http://www.finegardening.com/article/pruning-arborvitae-junipers-and-chamaecyparis, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This video is about cloud pruning - how to create a shape and how to maintain it afterwards. After you trim the branches to the junctions, keep an eye out for new growth. {"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":"