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Question about trimming an evergreen bush

15 years ago

First of all, I'm not sure what these are -- they were there when I bought the house 3 years ago. Juniper? Arborvitae?

I don't know if it's clear from the pictures, but each bush has some branches lying right on the ground. Is that a concern (re: diseases)?

If I want to give them a trim, I suppose that's where I should be cutting, the lower branches flush with the ground? I really like the bushes' non-uniform look, so I want to preserve that. And one other thing -- since I'll probably be cutting off some thick branches, what should I do to the "wound" to protect the shrub?

Image link: Shrub pic 1

Image link: Shrub pic 2

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Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
hey.. you again .... time for some re-evaluation of your domain .. eh???

they sure look like juniper..

juniper are conifers.. not shrubs... pruning conifers can be a whole lot different than pruning shrubs ...

there is a conifer forum.. but most of us are in both forums..

first.. i would get a better picture of the needles.. and buds.. and maybe a cone if you can find one.. and ask for an ID at the conifer forum ...

i suspect.. that these MIGHT get as big as your house ... if so ... perhaps its time to move them.. or be rid of them.. rather than forcing them into something are will not want to be ....

go out there.. and really study a branch ... 6 to 12 inches down the branch.. there will be a color change on the branch.. this is PROBABLY your annual growth rate ... if they are growing a foot per year... and they do this for the next 20 years ... are you willing to try to beat them back with a stick???? .. once or twice a year????

you might want to think about that ... shovel pruning is a one time job.. lol ...

ken
brandon7 TN_zone7
15 years ago
I agree with Ken's advice (as I do most of the time) about your coniferous shrubs. Well at least everything except the part about them not being shrubs; in my world, they are shrubs.

They'll get unmanageable in that location. They're going to want to grow much larger than you're going to want, and, in no time, you're going to have to start fighting them to keep them under control. Shovel pruning is my recommendation.

As for the the wounds, you don't need to shouldn't apply anything to the wounds but good fresh air.
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duluthinbloomz4
15 years ago
Looks like a juniper of some variety to me, too. At least for now, are you sure you want to cut the bottom branches off - as opposed to just cutting back the new growth (new growth would be soft and a different color green) to keep them in check?

Look perfectly healthy to me and cutting out the botton branches is interrupting the way whatever this variety is apparently wants to grow. If that doesn't appeal to you, digging up the whole thing is the best option. I find a ground hugging branch more appealing than a limbed up trunk. Take out the bottom branches and you're going to have the same look, just up out of the ground "on a stick".
peter17319
Original Author
15 years ago
duluthinbloomz4:

I think you're right -- if that's the way it wants to grow, so be it! I just need to give them a haircut.

As for digging them up, I have no plans to do that anytime soon, and probably never.
1. I really like how they look.
2. My property is small and there's nowhere else to plant them, so I'd have to toss them out. :(
3. I'd need several large shrubs to fill in the space, and that cold cost a lot.
4. If these junipers are eventually going to get TOO big, by that point I will have already sold the house!
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
15 years ago
Peter,

I agree with those who do not recommend cutting out the bottom branches. You can, however, prune annually to keep the shrubs in bounds and in a desirable form. It is also important to distinguish between pruning and sheering.

My other thought is to build a bed in front of these shrubs and use them as a background for smaller shrubs, perennials or annuals which have a different form and texture. Just be sure to plan for future growth and to leave yourself the room you will need for the regular pruning.

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