- 1). Dig up any weeds or other competing vegetation from near the base of the blue point juniper, using a garden trowel.
- 2). Punch several 10-inch-deep holes in the ground under the blue point juniper, using a stake and a hammer. Sprinkle in the granular slow-release fertilizer, then wet the soil.
- 3). Inspect the inner branches of the tree. Saw off any dead or damaged branches by making cuts with a pruning saw at 45-degree angles. Do not remove living branches, especially from the lower section of the blue point, as branches may not grow back.
- 4). Start pruning around the base of the tree. Cut the tips of branches, bit by bit with pruning shears, until all sides start to have a convex, belly-like shape. Keep the shears moving, and develop the overall shape gradually.
- 5). Move toward the top of the tree. Cut the branches shorter and shorter as you move up, creating a shape like the top of a long Christmas tree. Reach the top of taller blue point junipers with a safely placed ladder.
- 6). Stand back every now and then while pruning to check out how the overall shape looks from a distance. Continue working around the entire tree until you have a nicely manicured conical shape with a slightly rounded bottom.
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