Is It OK to Cut Shore Juniper?

Using Shore Juniper

• Unlike many other species of juniper, shore juniper thrives in sandy and salty conditions. This makes it ideal for use near the beach, especially where erosion is a problem. It's not limited to beach areas, however, growing well inland in loamy or sandy soil. Growing only to about a foot tall, shore juniper won't block the view to your existing landscaping.

Understanding Growth

• Cutting shore juniper properly requires knowledge of how it grows. New needles grow on new wood; old wood doesn't replenish needles or additional branches. This means you can't cut back shore juniper severely, back to wood that's 2 years old, in most cases. You won't necessarily kill the plant with severe pruning, but it's unlikely to increase in size, relying on the existing needles to sustain it. When it's time to cut back the shore juniper, stick to the newer growth, preferably less than a year old, so the plant can replenish itself.

Removing Dead Branches

• An exception to the rule about not removing old wood is when you see brown needles on old branches. Because these evergreens won't grow new branches off the old wood, the branches will continue to deteriorate and could spread disease to other areas of the plant. It's also possible that lower branches turn brown and die due to lack of sunlight. Trimming back these branches close to the stem allows better airflow throughout the plant.

Proper Pruning

• Pruning shore juniper, in many cases, is basically like giving it a haircut. Stick to the outer and upper edges where new growth appears. Use sharp pruning shears to cut the small branches right above a joint, or a place where a lateral branch joins the main one. This keeps the plant from scarring badly from the cut. Disinfect your pruning shears between each plant to prevent the possible spread of disease. Brush off any dirt or foliage on the shear blades, then dip the shears into a solution of 1 part bleach and 3 parts water or equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water. Rinsing the shears with clean water gets them ready to prune the next plant. The best time to cut is before the spring growing season begins, often March or early April. Make small touch-up cuts in late June or early July, while the plant has time to heal before cold weather sets in.