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What to do with these new 15 gallon junipers that look off?

11 months ago

Should the falling branches at the bottom of the tree on the second photo be clipped off?

For the one where the top is curving, should it straighten out on it’s own over time, or does it need some kind of support?





Comments (9)

  • 11 months ago

    I would stake the plant on the right so that it grows upright One tall stick behind the plant and tie it with cotton twin to the plant. I would also give each plant a slight haircut. This will help them fill out. Just sheer off the top of each branch about 3-4 inches.

  • 11 months ago

    What do you mean shear off the top of each branch?

    I think the branches in the second photo that are hanging down near the base look damaged and probably need to be cut back so they can grow back correctly.


    Should the right side plant in the first photo that’s curving just need a taller stake to straighten it out or should the curved top section be cut off so it can grow back straight?


  • 11 months ago

    They're beautiful, but aren't they planted too close together?

  • 11 months ago

    " but aren't they planted too close together? " Yes.

    " branches in the second photo that are hanging down near the base look damaged and probably need to be cut back so they can grow back correctly " Cut branches do not grow back :-) You could trim off the feathery bits hanging down at the base if they bug you but otherwise, don't cut anything!

    These trees appear to have been overwatered and over-fertilized by the grower to generate such floppy growth. At most, I would loosely tie them up into a more columnar form until they develop some hard woody growth

    " should the curved top section be cut off so it can grow back straight? " No. Cut off tops won't grow back either. Stake the tree with a tall enough support to keep the top vertical until it too develops some woodier growth.


  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    How does this look as a solution?



    If they were overwatered and overfertilized by the grower, is there anything that can done about it now? Should the grow out of it in a year and be ”less floppy” if they are not fertilized or can anything else be done to promote them growing in a more robust way?

    If they are are already ruined, I would rather replace them this year with healthier versions than invest years into trying to get them looking healthy and aesthetic only for it to ultimately fail in the end.

  • 10 months ago

    " If they were overwatered and overfertilized by the grower, is there anything that can done about it now? "

    No. That just requires time. It would also help to know a) where in the world you are located; b) when they were planted; and c) the specific type of junipers they are. And how big is that space (width and depth)? Not sure you have enough room for both to develop properly and grow well.

    Were they sold B&B or in a container?

  • 10 months ago

    Northern California.

    They were in containers and planted about a month ago.

    They are Blue Arrow Junipers that are supposed to have a 2 foot spread.

  • 10 months ago

    This is the way they should look - upright, tight and dense.



    I'm not sure I'd be very happy with yours.

    Note the spacing as well. They can grow as much as 4' wide but it will take awhile.

  • 10 months ago

    Yes, I have others that are more upright. The others still are not as dense as the photo you posted. These look worse that the others did when they were planted 2 years ago.


    I want to see if these are likely to correct their shape as they grow or if they are ruined and I should replace them soon instead of putting time and energy into trying to fix these if it’s really not likely to be successful.

    If it’s very likely they will grow out of this rough growth shape and end up matching the others with time, I will just keep them and wait.

    If they are just bad, damaged examples of these plants that are doomed to not improve, I want to replace them in the short term and not waste time.