Savin juniper: when and how to prune

Savin juniper: when to prune it?

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In May or in August; one light trim a year is enough.

What else to prune in those months? May · August

Savin juniper: how to prune it?

1. Cut overly long branches back to a side shoot you want to keep growing.
2. Remove dead or damaged branches completely, back to living wood.
3. Keep the natural shape: cut out a few branches rather than shearing the whole plant.
4. Dispose of the clippings so that children or animals cannot nibble them.

How much to cut, and how often?

• There are 2 pruning periods a year: May and August. You don’t have to prune in every one.
• Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in May and August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

• Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Chinese juniper
• Common juniper
• Creeping juniper
• Flaky juniper (Juniperus squamata)
• Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens)
• Ornamental juniper

Plant profile: Savin juniper · Pruning calendar and basic rules