Getting my Juniper to Bud Back?

Harold B.

Aloha From Hawaii!

I have a question regarding my new Juniper I am styling it in a cascade style, and noticed that a few of the branches ended up growing a bit leggy and I don't want that.

My question is:

If I cut the branch to the size that I want it will it still throw out new growth to form foliage pads. The branch is kind of woody on the bark of the branch already.

or

Do I just cut of that branch and hope that new shoots will appear in that area.

I am not posting a picture until I am a little more confident about the plant. I would like specifically replies from Matt, OMC, or bonsaial. I have been reading a lot on here and have not been very "vocal", but I do value their insight the most.

Thanks a lot,
H

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matsu

You have to work back conifers to get foliage in the branch interiors. If you just cut off the branch to the desired length and leave no foliage, the branch will die. If you want to shorten the branch of a juniper, cut it back to the inner most branch. Before cutting it back, make sure the tree is well fertilized and the branch is growing strongly. A strong juniper will bud back, but weak trees don't respond well at all. Then develop the new shoots. Once the branch and new shoots regain enough strength, cut the branch back again to shorten it further if necessary. It may take several cut and regrow cycles to bring foliage back to the interior of a branch. An alternative is to graft on interior branches in the spring which is extremely effective and a whole different matter. Good luck.

Carl_Bergstrom

That is great advice, and I don't really have anything to add to it.

I'm not really a juniper person myself (yet ); maybe David or some of the other "juniper junkies" will have further tips.

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Harold B.

Mahalo (Thanks) for the insight......I was hoping that there was a budback growth plan......

Thanks again,
H

TreeBay

One other thing to note is there is a "trigger point" on junipers: if you remove somewhere around 1/2 of the total foliage on the plant it will respond by budding back profusely within a few weeks.

I don't mean 1/2 the foliage on any specific branch. I am talking about going over the plant and selectively thinning out or trimming the total foliage mass back by at least 1/2.

The favorite places it buds is unfortunately right at the base of existing branches and twigs, so rub off the buds you don't want. On plants that have distinct juvenile and mature foliage (needle and scale) it will trigger the production of a lot of juvenile, scale foliage.

Regards,

Matt.

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