Best season to prune needle juniper?

[Michael P]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum but not to bonsai. My 20+ year old needle juniper (Juniperus rigida) has become overgrown and needs a major pruning and possible restyling. I have never done this much pruning on the tree before, and need to know what is the best time of year to do it.

Some more information: the tree and I live in Dallas TX, zone 8. We typically have mild winters with a few sudden cold snaps down to the lower teens F. The tree is normally repotted every two or three years in late winter (late February for us).

Thank you!

 

[Paradox]

@markyscott also lives in TX and can give you the best advice

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Have you read Peter Tea's articles? He suggests not doing much to them at this time of year. I'm sure you could trim it for shape now, especially if you plan to show it; but if not, spring is probably a better time.
https://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/tosho-part-1/
https://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/tosho-part-2/
I last hard-pruned mine at the end of April when new shoots were about 1" long.
Pix of yours would be cool, there aren't many tosho in the US. This is mine:

 

[sorce]

This is a good article I read the other day.

https://crataegus.com/2012/08/26/how-to-pinch-junipers/

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Michael P]

Thanks for the links, I'll read all later today.

 

[Chris Koehler]

The absolute best time to prune needle junipers is during the hottest part the summer.