Eastern Red Cedar Bonsai Pruning

Cut the lowest branches first then branches that restrict access to larger branches.
Eastern red cedar bonsai pruning. Trimming back to brown wood or brown leaves can leave a bare spot in your tree that will not recover for possibly several years. Leave the lowest branches the longest and gradually shorten the length of branches as you move towards the top of the tree. Because they are quite salt tolerant they can be used near roads driveways and sidewalks. To develop the foliage pinch out the tender new shoots using your fingers.
Stand back 50 feet from tree to get an idea of where to trim and how much. Do not remove more than 6 to 12 inches of green growth as the external layer of leaves are the greenest and your tree may look bare for a long time. Eastern redcedar juniperus virginiana is not a true cedar but is a variety that can be pruned. Eastern red cedar trees have a natural shape that needs no improvement.
Transfer the cedar to the bonsai pot planting it in coarse well drained soil with a high sand content. Eastern red cedar is native to north america. Eastern red cedars tend to grow in an uneven sloppy pyramid shape. You only need to cut the lower limbs away for access around the base of the tree.
It is a juniper. Firm the surface of the soil in the pot and spread a 1 2 inch layer of sphagnum moss over the surface. The eastern red cedar is not technically a cedar tree at all. Sterilize the cutting tool before using it to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Reduce the roots gradually removing no more than one third of the roots at each repotting. As such it is important that you do not trim too much at a time. How to prune an eastern red cedar. Another time to start cutting back cedar trees is when you see damaged or dead branches.
Use pruning shears to snip the tips of any lateral roots that twine around the root ball. Prune out dead wood with sterilized clippers.