How to prune sierra juniper

Spring through early summer for growth pinching; structural branch removal in early spring. Pinch or scissor-trim extending foliage shoots back by one-third, always leaving living foliage on each shoot. When removing branches for deadwood design, strip bark cleanly and treat with lime-sulfur to preserve and bleach the jin.

Pinching every 4–6 weeks in the growing season; structural work once per year. Sierra Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) is a wild, rugged native used in North American bonsai for its dramatic deadwood and grey-green foliage. Pruning principles match other junipers: pinch extending foliage pads to maintain density and never cut back to bare wood. Deadwood (shari and jin) is a design feature, not a flaw.

Pinch or scissor-trim extending foliage shoots back by one-third, always leaving living foliage on each shoot. When removing branches for deadwood design, strip bark cleanly and treat with lime-sulfur to preserve and bleach the jin.