Hello Everyone,

Quick Question about pinching new growth off of juniper procumbens...can I pinch off all the new growth to retain the desired shape of the bonsai or do I need to leave any of it on? also is there a certain time of year when all pruning should cease or can I pinch off new growth as long as it keeps coming in?

Thank you!

No never pinch Junipers, prune the growth once extended

No never pinch Junipers, prune the growth once extended

Does this mean, you can only do it at the end of the season? and before spring growth?

No, you can do it right now. In fact, I have pruned one of my junipers yesterday.

The comment is a reflection of a change in the way junipers are manageged. In the past people would "roll off" each growing tip in spring to stop extension and get side-branches. However to get the tree to develop it needs extension growth. Common opinion now is you let the trees create runners. You trim the runners out mid-spring, where the cut is made deep in the foliage so you do not see it. And every few years the longest branches are taken away, foliage is repositioned.

Junipers are not pinched anymore as @leatherback has said.
But...
Many of the Youtube stars still show the technique online.
I prefer cutting the runners way inside.

The strength in Junipers is in the foliage, if you keep pinching it will weaken the tree.

I think it i important to realize, most bonsai look rough most of the time. Letting it grow out is part of bonsai. And trim back in time. But this may mean for some plants no trimming for a year or more.

BEfore and after trimming: