How to Trim Spiral Junipers
Young juniper trees grow in a narrow cone that gradually opens into a vase shape as the shrub ages. The foliage of a juniper grows as thick as if the plant had been naturally sheared into a cone shape. For this reason, juniper is an ideal tree to grow as a topiary spiral. For a simple topiary spiral, look for a tree that already has a dense cone shape. An older tree may require more work to train it into a spiral shape. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Mix a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water. Soak a sponge with this solution and wipe the blades of a pair of pruning shears in preparation for pruning. This process will kill any diseases on your shears.
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Tie one end of a piece of string to the top of a juniper. Pull the string into a tight line that runs along the edge of the plant and to the ground. Do not let the string pull the tip of the plant in any direction. Drive a stake into the ground at the point where the string touches the ground. Tie the string to the stake. Measure the distance from the stake to the trunk of the juniper.
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Clip any juniper needles that cross the line of the string. Move the stake to shift the string over. Ensure that you always place the stake the same distance from the tree's trunk. Now clip any new needles that grow above the line of the string guide. Continue in this way until you have sheared the tree into a perfect cone.
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4
Remove the string from the stake and wind the string in a spiral around the cone. The spiral should start with wide slope at the base. The space between spiraling loops should narrow as you wrap the string around the tree toward the top.
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Cut a line into the juniper by removing needles wherever the string touches the tree. Lift the branches above the line to trim back the branches below the line.
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Trim the greenery beneath the line in a continuous, spiraling tunnel.
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