Huge juniper(?) bush/tree/topiary trim

household61974

13 years ago

We moved into a rental home in November. Because this bush was encroaching upon the sidewalk to our front door, I took a chance at pruning it back with a set of hedge trimmers. After one short "pass", what resulted was the brown ugliness you see in the picture. We obviously didnt want to look at a brown ugly bush everty day (neither would our neighbors). So I figured it would grow back in spring and that would be the appropriate time to trim it back.

Obviously, the cut area hasn't grown back, although there is new growth on the remainder of the bush.

Here's my dilemma - I would rather not cut down the bush. It's a nice element of the landscaping. However, I also don't want to have to duck or get swatted by a prickly bush every time we go outside. Are there any options?

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Comments (5)

household61974
Original Author
13 years ago
Pic 2 of 3
household61974
Original Author
13 years ago
Pic 3 of 3
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botann
13 years ago
Talk to the landlord. That plant has outlived it's usefulness. It should never have been planted there in the first place.
Mike
mikebotann
11 years ago
I looked at it again.
It's not a juniper, but a Chamaecyparis obtusa. I can't tell if it's a dwarf or not because it's been sheared to almost beyond recognition.
I have that same tree and some are over 30 ft tall.
My advice still stands. It needs to go. Just cut it off real low and plant a ground cover over the stump until you decide what to replace it with or not. If cut low it will not sprout from the stump.
A herbicide won't be needed.
Mike
lynngun
11 years ago
I am wondering if you could just cut the troublesome branches farther down. This form of pruning will encourage growth. The problum you have is that there are no leaves in the intereior. Those brown sticks will not grow more leaves for a while. Pruning farther down could work. I would suggest seeking out someone who knows more then me. If you really do not want to cut it down you could go to a local nursery, garden center, or extension office and ask them. They could tell you how to properly prune it, how hard is needed, and if this is even the best coarse of action.

I wish you success.

L.G.