How to Remove Creeping Juniper

Trim the creeping juniper’s long branches back to the center trunk. Wear gloves, since the short foliage is needlelike. Cut thin branches with pruning shears. Remove thicker branches using loppers.

Dig around the diameter of the creeping juniper using a spade shovel. Force the shovel into the soil and through the roots using your foot. Remove the soil, if needed, to expose the root system for additional cutting.

Cut any roots remaining attached in the soil with pruning shears or loppers. Dig under the creeping juniper’s root ball and lift it from the planting site. Continue cutting any attached roots until the root ball loosens from the soil.

Rake the soil with a hard rake to expose and remove any remaining roots. Dig the roots out using the shovel, if needed. Cut and remove the roots using loppers or pruning shears. Rake the area level after removing all the plant debris and roots.