While overgrown juniper pruning has its limits, it is possible to trim your plant down to a more manageable shape. One good place to start is the removal of any dead or leafless branches – these can be cut off at the trunk. You can also remove any branches that are overlapping or sticking out too far.

How far back can you cut junipers?

But in a juniper, only buds close to the cut get the green light. Anything farther away than 12 inches won't leaf out. And juniper branches tend to grow longer, not fuller, when left untrimmed.

How do you keep junipers small?

You'll need to start selectively pruning a juniper bush by trimming back each branch's terminal tip. This will reduce the length and weight of the branch, making it less likely to pull out from the trunk. You can also use an arbor tie to attach sagging branches to the central trunk.