Can I prune needle junipers during winter?

[BonsaiSniper]

?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

J. rigida?

 

[BonsaiSniper]

Yeah

 

[chansen]

Define "prune". Like major structural cutting, or minor branch corrections, etc. Those are very different activities.

 

[BonsaiSniper]

for structure

 

[bonsaidave]

Time to hit the search bar bud.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

You can, but I wouldn’t get too carried away. During the growing season, Tosho are very strong growers, and don’t skip a beat from pruning. I did structural pruning on mine in early spring.

 

[Shibui]

The only reason I see for not pruning in winter is infection as compartmentalisation processes are also slow then. Juniper does not seem to be affected by diseases and infections like cherry or peach so I prune all year round as necessary. My climate is quite diffrent from yours though so consider local advice.
Bonsai growers really need to think long term. A few months may seem an eternity to an enthusiastic new grower but in bonsai terms next spring is just a blink.

 

[Paradox]

Junipers store their energy over the winter in their foliage so it is not a good idea to remove alot of foliage in the winter.
It is best to wait until spring when the tips on the ends of branches start to plump up and get new growth starting.

 

[leatherback]

Junipers store their energy over the winter in their foliage so it is not a good idea to remove alot of foliage in the winter.
It is best to wait until spring when the tips on the ends of branches start to plump up and get new growth starting.

Yes and.. Less foliage = less evaporation. Where I live, winters are WET. So I want to have all foliage I can get in winter, and prune when I see spring knocking.

 

[sorce]

It's probly better cuz you already got gloves on.

Sorce